A technique for manipulating objects at a computer is described. The technique includes receiving one or more requests to manipulate an object, wherein each request is received from a different thread. Each request to manipulate an object generates a copy of the object and a unique identifier for each copy of the object. A request to manipulate a copy of an object is distinguished from other requests to manipulate other copies of the object using the unique identifier.Additionally, a technique for accessing objects at a computer is described. The technique includes receiving a request from a client process for an object which is stored in an object server. A library server process is allocated to handle the object request. Transfer of the requested object is initiated. Thereafter, the library server process that was allocated to the object request is released.