Abstract: A tape cartridge transport assembly for moving a tape cartridge between a first library and a second library includes a guide arrangement disposable between the first and second libraries, and a cartridge carrier that is moveable along the guide arrangement. The cartridge carrier includes a carrier body having an opening for receiving the tape cartridge, and a retention device associated with the carrier body. The retention device is engageable with the tape cartridge for retaining the tape cartridge in the carrier body as the cartridge carrier moves along the guide arrangement. The assembly further includes a drive mechanism associated with the cartridge carrier for automatically moving the cartridge carrier along the guide arrangement.

Abstract: A system, method and program are disclosed for automatically exchanging tape cartridges between a plurality of automated tape libraries arranged in close proximity. The automated cartridge exchange system translates a forward and reverse stroke in a first axis directed parallel to the sidewalls of two adjacent tape libraries to a radial movement directed to a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and into and out of the tape libraries (e.g., via a pass-through port in each library). Thus, the cartridge density of the overall library system is maximized by limiting the width of the main assembly of the automated cartridge exchange system and thereby minimizing the distance between the two adjacent libraries. Also, the automated cartridge exchange system can be blind-mated to the adjacent libraries and thus provide a hot-swappable (on-line), readily serviceable component that is not available from the existing approaches.