A method and device for storing and accessing information on a flat storage medium (116) having X and Y axes. A read/write head (120a) is positioned adjacent to the medium and an X-axis motor (108-109) creates a reciprocating substantially linear motion between the head and the medium along the X-axis of the medium. A Y-axis motor (112) creates a linear motion between the head and the medium along the Y-axis of the medium. The head causes information to be stored or accessed on the medium as the head moves across the X-axis of the medium. The relative substantially linear motion of the head along the Y-axis moves the head from track to track along the medium. The relative motion between the head and the medium can be created by moving either the head or the medium.