An apparatus has an information storage medium with an information storage surface, and structure operable to effect relative movement of the head and surface within a first zone while maintaining the head adjacent the surface and while using the head to effect at least one of reading information from and writing information to the surface. A head cleaning section includes a cleaning part engageable with the head when the head is in a second zone where the head is spaced from the surface, the structure being operable to effect relative movement of the engaged head and cleaning part in a manner which includes a component of movement that is representative of an applied force subject to a damping influence.