Library apparatus

A library apparatus comprising a drive unit for handling a plurality of cartridges each accommodating a storage medium, a plurality of cells for accommodating said cartridges, an accessor for transporting said cartridges and a mechanism capable of charging/discharging at least a magazine adapted to accommodate a plurality of said cartridges, said cartridges being charged into or discharged from said apparatus by said magazine;

• wherein a frame unit having a space for insertion of said magazine is arranged in a communication space for establishing communication between an internal space for operation of said accessor and an external space of said library apparatus;
• wherein an inner shutter for opening/closing the internal space side of said space for insertion of said magazine is mounted on said frame unit thereby to make up a charge/discharge mechanism for said magazine;
• wherein, as long as said magazine is not set, said inner shutter remains closed by occupying the area which might be occupied by said magazine after being set, said inner shutter having a first engaging portion adapted to engage a part of said magazine;
• and
• wherein said magazine has a second engaging portion adapted to engage said first engaging portion, said first engaging portion and said second engaging portion being adapted to engage each other when said magazine is inserted into said insertion space, said inner shutter being opened by the operation of inserting said magazine, said inner shutter being opened to the full in the case where said magazine reaches a set position in said insertion space.