Abstract: A method for selecting data storage media for demount in an automated storage library, and an automated storage library and program product therefor are disclosed. Preemptive demount of storage media is permitted when all peripheral storage devices in the library are occupied and one or more of such devices remains inactive for a predetermined time. Storage media may be demounted to service existing mount requests, provide the peripheral storage devices in which the media are mounted are inactive. There is also a need, however, to ensure the availability of an empty device to service future mount requests, particularly in libraries having only a single gripper mechanism. Thus, even when no mount requests are pending, the status of the peripheral storage devices is continually monitored.

Abstract: A method for selecting additional data storage media for demount in an idle automated storage library, and an automated storage library and program product therefor are disclosed. The method permits the advanced demount of storage media when one or more of the occupied peripheral storage devices remains inactive for a relatively long predetermined time. Storage media may be demounted to service a pending mount request, provided the peripheral storage devices in which the media are mounted are inactive. A storage medium may also be demounted to create an unoccupied peripheral storage device, even though no mount request is pending, when all of the peripheral storage devices are occupied and one or more of such devices remains inactive for a relatively short predetermined time.