diff --git a/lib/dir_init.rb b/lib/dir_init.rb
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/dir_init.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,107 @@
+require 'ftools'
+
+# DirInit::Manager handles directory initialization and clean-up when
+# there are many concurrent processes that wants to modify the
+# directory in the same way.
+#
+# An example usage is when each process wants to copy some temporary
+# files to the directory and delete these files after finishing its
+# job.  Problems may occur when the first process delete the files
+# while the second process is still using the files.
+#
+# This library maintain a reference counter on the processes using the
+# directory.  It locks the dir to manage critical section when
+# updating the reference counter.
+
+module DirInit
+
+  class Manager
+  
+    def initialize(dir_name, usage_filename='.usage_counter')
+      @dir_name = dir_name
+      @usage_filename = usage_filename
+    end
+
+    # Check if someone has initialized the dir.  If not, call block.
+
+    def setup    # :yields: block
+      dir = File.new(@dir_name)
+      dir.flock(File::LOCK_EX)
+      begin
+        counter_filename = get_counter_filename
+        if File.exist? counter_filename
+          # someone is here
+          f = File.new(counter_filename,"r+")
+          counter = f.read.to_i
+          f.seek(0)
+          f.write("#{counter+1}\n")
+          f.close
+        else
+          # i'm the first, create the counter file
+          counter = 0
+          f = File.new(counter_filename,"w")
+          f.write("1\n")
+          f.close
+        end
+        
+        # if no one is here
+        if counter == 0
+          if block_given?
+            yield
+          end
+        end
+        
+      rescue
+        raise
+        
+      ensure
+        # make sure it unlock the directory
+        dir.flock(File::LOCK_UN)
+      end
+    end
+    
+    # Check if I am the last one using the dir.  If true, call block.
+
+    def teardown
+      dir = File.new(@dir_name)
+      dir.flock(File::LOCK_EX)
+      begin
+        counter_filename = get_counter_filename
+        if File.exist? counter_filename
+          # someone is here
+          f = File.new(counter_filename,"r+")
+          counter = f.read.to_i
+          f.seek(0)
+          f.write("#{counter-1}\n")
+          f.close
+          
+          if counter == 1
+            # i'm the last one
+            
+            File.delete(counter_filename)
+            if block_given?
+              yield
+            end
+          end
+        else
+          # This is BAD
+          raise "Error: reference count missing"
+        end
+
+      rescue
+        raise
+
+      ensure
+        # make sure it unlock the directory
+        dir.flock(File::LOCK_UN)
+      end
+    end
+    
+    protected
+
+    def get_counter_filename
+      return File.join(@dir_name,@usage_filename)
+    end
+
+  end
+end