Management of physical media volumes in partitions of an automated data storage library

An automated data storage library, method, and a computer program product manage categories of physical media volumes, which may store stacked logical volumes, in partitions of the library. A media sensor senses the VOLSER identifier of thee physical media volumes at an input station. A library manager is provided, having a computer processor. Upon receipt of a physical media volume at the input station, the library manager receives the sensed VOLSER of the physical media volume; places the physical media volume in an "UNASSIGNED" category of an inventory; and sends a message at an interface to a host system, the message identifying the sensed VOLSER and indicating that the physical media volume has transitioned to the "UNASSIGNED" category. The library manager responds to the host system, reassigning the physical media volume to a defined physical volume category comprising (1) an "IMPORT" category as having active logical volumes, and (2) an "INSERT" category as having no active logical volumes; and sends a message to the host system that the volume transitioned to the defined category.