A media library assembly (10) includes a host controller (12), a first data transfer assembly (18A) and a second data transfer assembly (18B), which can be remotely positioned from the first data transfer assembly (18A). The host controller (12) sends a first command signal to the first data transfer assembly (18A) to request a transfer of a first block of data relative to a target storage media (22). The first data transfer assembly (18A) receives the first command signal, determines the location of the target storage media (22), and initiates a second command signal to the second data transfer assembly (18B) to request the transfer of the first block of data relative to the target storage media (22). The second data transfer assembly (18B) transfers the first block of data relative to the target storage media (22) in response to the second command signal. The first data transfer assembly (18A) then returns a status to the host controller (12) regarding the transfer of the first block of data. The first block of data can be transmitted between the first data transfer assembly (18A) and the second data transfer assembly (18B) via an Ethernet connection, a Fibre Channel connection, or via the Internet, over wired or wireless connections. The second command signal occurs transparently to the host controller (12).