DFSMSrmm helps you manage the shelves in your tape library and storage locations, simplifying the tasks of your tape librarian. When you define a new volume in your library, you can request that DFSMSrmm shelf-manage the volume by assigning the volume a place on the shelf. You also have the option to request a specific place for the volume. Your shelves are easier to use when DFSMSrmm manages them in pools. Pools allow you to divide your shelves into logical groups where you can store volumes. For example, you can have a different pool for each system that your installation uses. You can then store the volumes for each system together in the same pool.

You can define shelf space in storage locations. When you move volumes to a storage location where you have defined shelf space, DFSMSrmm checks for available shelf space and then assigns each volume a place on the shelf if you request it. You can also set up DFSMSrmm to reuse shelf space in storage locations.