1. An automated data storage library for accessing data storage media in response to commands from at least one external host system, comprising: a housing unit; a plurality of storage shelves for storing data storage cartridges within the housing unit, a data storage cartridge including data storage medium and a cartridge memory; a data storage drive for reading data to and/or writing data from the data storage medium; a cartridge memory interface for reading data from and/or writing data to at least one predetermined data field of the cartridge memory; a robot accessor for transporting data storage cartridges between the storage shelves and the data storage drive; and a processor programmed with instructions to: modify the data stored in the at least one predetermined data field of the cartridge memory to render data stored on the data storage medium inaccessible; and apply a correction to data read from the at least one modified predetermined data field of the cartridge memory wherein data read from the data storage medium is rendered readable to the data storage drive.