DSPTAP takes too long

I've been given the task to write something to start checking the tape in
our tape drive around 7:00 in the morning and start sending a message every
hour until the tape is changed.

Not a difficult task, it would seem, simply do a DSPTAP, get a file
date/time or tape date/time and save the value, and compare every hour until
it changes.

I do a DSPTAP to an outfile, and it takes quite a long time to complete
(over half hour).  I tried to see if I can just get the first label, but
with outfile it starts at the label number you specify.

So... my question is, are there any tap APIs I could use that could perhaps
be faster?  Just allow me to grab the beginning tape information as that's
all I need.

Thanks in advance,

Jim Langston