A computer-implemented method for emulated storage, comprising: under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions, receiving a request to create a virtual tape; requesting a logical data container be created in a storage service; associating the logical data container with the virtual tape; receiving a request to load the virtual tape from a virtual storage location to a virtual tape drive; mapping the logical data container associated with the virtual tape to an input/output interface associated with the virtual tape drive; translating requests over the input/output interface to the logical data container associated with the virtual tape mapped to the virtual tape drive; in response to receiving a request to store the virtual tape: removing the mapping of the logical data container to the input/output interface; in response to receiving a request to store the virtual tape in an archival storage service: mapping the virtual tape to an import/export location; removing the virtual tape from a virtual tape library; and transmitting the logical data container associated with the virtual tape from active storage to an archival logical data container in the archival storage service; characterized by: determining a response time for preparation of the logical data container for use over the input/output interface; selecting a storage tier from a set of storage tiers based at least on the determination, a storage tier defined at least in part on a response time for accessing logical data containers in the storage tier; transferring the logical data container from an active tier for use with the input/output interface to the selected storage tier; and associating the virtual tape with a virtual library location. receiving a request to create a virtual tape; requesting a logical data container be created in a storage service; associating the logical data container with the virtual tape; receiving a request to load the virtual tape from a virtual storage location to a virtual tape drive; mapping the logical data container associated with the virtual tape to an input/output interface associated with the virtual tape drive; translating requests over the input/output interface to the logical data container associated with the virtual tape mapped to the virtual tape drive; in response to receiving a request to store the virtual tape: removing the mapping of the logical data container to the input/output interface; in response to receiving a request to store the virtual tape in an archival storage service: mapping the virtual tape to an import/export location; removing the virtual tape from a virtual tape library; and transmitting the logical data container associated with the virtual tape from active storage to an archival logical data container in the archival storage service; characterized by: determining a response time for preparation of the logical data container for use over the input/output interface; selecting a storage tier from a set of storage tiers based at least on the determination, a storage tier defined at least in part on a response time for accessing logical data containers in the storage tier; transferring the logical data container from an active tier for use with the input/output interface to the selected storage tier; and associating the virtual tape with a virtual library location. mapping the virtual tape to an import/export location; removing the virtual tape from a virtual tape library; and transmitting the logical data container associated with the virtual tape from active storage to an archival logical data container in the archival storage service; characterized by: determining a response time for preparation of the logical data container for use over the input/output interface; selecting a storage tier from a set of storage tiers based at least on the determination, a storage tier defined at least in part on a response time for accessing logical data containers in the storage tier; transferring the logical data container from an active tier for use with the input/output interface to the selected storage tier; and associating the virtual tape with a virtual library location. determining a response time for preparation of the logical data container for use over the input/output interface; selecting a storage tier from a set of storage tiers based at least on the determination, a storage tier defined at least in part on a response time for accessing logical data containers in the storage tier; transferring the logical data container from an active tier for use with the input/output interface to the selected storage tier; and associating the virtual tape with a virtual library location.