Patent ID: 7466511

Claim:
A library apparatus comprising: a plurality of cartridges each containing a recording medium; a storage rack in which the plurality of cartridges are stored; at least one drive that records or reproduces data in or from the cartridges; and an accessor that holds the cartridges and transports the cartridges between the storage rack and the drive, the accessor comprising: a hand mechanism that advances, holds or releases the cartridges, or withdraws, the hand mechanism including: a buffer mechanism that, even when the advancement is stopped with the hand mechanism abutted against one of said cartridges within a predetermined range before reaching a normal position, allows the hand mechanism to hold the cartridge, the buffer mechanism including a moving mechanism having a sliding portion that is pressed by compression springs, and the sliding portion being movable to compress the springs in accordance with an external force due to advancement being stopped by the hand mechanism abutted against one of said cartridges to allow the hand mechanism to hold the cartridge.