The invention provides a method, system, and program product for optimizing a data library. A first aspect of the invention provides a method of optimizing a data library, comprising: moving a plurality of data files from a plurality of data library volumes to a staging area; sorting the data files into a plurality of directories based on at least one criterion of the data files; transferring data files from a first directory in the staging area to a transfer medium; deleting the first directory; transferring data files from a second directory in the staging area to a transfer medium; and deleting the second directory.