A backup storage system includes a server having a restore operation that is independent from browse, mark and submit operations. A restore engine process is created as part of a restore session initiated by a client for retrieving a list of restorable objects to be displayed to a user via a graphical user interface. The user can browse the list of restorable objects, mark or select objects for restoration and submit the list of mark objects. Multiple restore submissions can be made prior to the user commanding the restore engine process, via a remote procedure call, to execute the submitted restore requests. To support new backup techniques and storage devices, a corresponding library can be added for processing with minimal impact to the overall restore system.