Transparent drive-to-drive copying

A computer-implemented method includes initiating a copy request for a data storage cartridge. The data storage cartridge includes data storage media having host data thereon. The method also includes transparently loading the data storage cartridge into a first data storage drive of a data storage library and establishing drive-to-drive communication for copying data from the data storage media in the first data storage drive to data storage media in a second data storage drive. The method includes copying data from the data storage media in the first data storage drive to the data storage media in the second data storage drive. A system includes a processor and logic integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor. The logic is configured to perform the foregoing method.