Tape drive with overlapped operations

A system, comprising:

• a head for performing read and/or write operations;
• a first set of motors for performing positioning operations on a first tape;
• a second set of motors for performing positioning operations on a second tape;
• and
• a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor, the logic being configured to cause the first set of motors to pass the first tape over the head while causing the second set of motors to perform at least one of a coarse locate and a rewind operation on the second tape,
• the logic also being configured to cause movement of at least one spool configured to hold the first tape to a position that allows the passing of the first tape over the head,
• the logic also being configured to cause movement of at least one spool configured to hold the second tape to a position that allows the passing of the second tape over the head,
• wherein only one of the first and the second tapes passes over the head at a given time.