In comparison to stand-alone tape drives, the ValueLoader offers increased capacity and random access to several cartridges without human intervention - the number one cause of data loss. The ValueLoader is an unparalleled value for tape automation and provides all of these benefits at a price comparable to some stand-alone tape drives. The ValueLoader uses an LCD display to operate the loader so that it is like any accessorized drive with a natural language menu-driven interface. The ValueLoader features automated cartridge management for import and export of data cartridges. Users are presented with cartridges for export and prompted for import. The ValueLoader has only one drive and eight cartridge slots. The eight cartridges orbit around the center-mounted tape drive and insert into the drive individually. There is a slot for each day of the week and an additional slot that could be used for either a Cleaning Tape or additional media cartridge.