Replacing a human operator, an automated message processing system communicates with a data storage subsystem that includes a tape library and a storage controller. The automated message processing system receives messages from a data storage subsystem concerning the availability of tape drives in the tape library. Such messages are selectively routed to one of many specialized expert local facilities (ELFs) for performance of a designated function, such as generation of an appropriate output messages. The ELFs receive input messages and transmit output to the data storage subsystem in order to oversee allocation and use of data storage drives in the data storage subsystem.