Abstract: A cartridge hand off selection mechanism may comprise a gate member positioned along the displacement path of a moveable cartridge engaging assembly. The gate member is displaceably engageable by a latch member on the moveable cartridge during a first operating state and is nondisplaceably engageable with the latch member during a second operating state.

Abstract: An optical disk cartridge assembly comprising: an optical disk for storing data thereon in machine readable form; a casing for rotatably supporting the optical disk therewithin and for shielding the optical disk from physical contact with other objects; and a door slideably mounted on the casing for selectively covering and uncovering an opening therein; the casing having a wear factor associated with sliding contact with the door of less than 100.times.10.sup.-10 in..sup.3 -min./ft.-lb.-hr. and most preferably less than 10.times.10.sup.-10 in..sup.3 -min./ft.-lb.-hr. An information storage system employing a low-wear optical disk cartridge assembly and a method of making a low-wear optical disk cartridge assembly are also disclosed.