The default threading mode is BELT and SUSPENDERS (SERIALIZED threading mode). That means that the library will take necessary precautions to ensure that your pants do not fall down under any circumstance. You may take off the SQLite3 provided suspenders (by setting MULTITHREADED threading mode) in which case the library will not prevent your pants from falling down if you concurrently modify connection related data, you must do that yourself with your own suspenders. One common example of how you might provide your own suspenders is by assigning one connection (and it subordinate objects) for use by only one thread. Similarly you can take off the BELT as well (by setting SINGLETHREAD threading mode), in which case any type of concurrent access might cause your pants to fall down. Just because SQLite3 is providing a BELT and SUSPENDERS does not in any way restrict you from wearing your own suspenders as well. You will just pay a very tiny price in CPU usage for the extra set of suspenders. However, in doing so, even if your suspenders get frayed and worn or are worn improperly, your pants will still be prevented from falling down by the builtin high quality and carefully fitted suspenders provided by the SQLite3 library.