diff --git a/src/pvxs/sharedpv.h b/src/pvxs/sharedpv.h
index 6527028..a953e4f 100644
--- a/src/pvxs/sharedpv.h
+++ b/src/pvxs/sharedpv.h
@@ -72,8 +72,10 @@ struct PVXS_API SharedPV
 
     //! Update the internal data value, and dispatch subscription updates to any clients.
     void post(const Value& val);
-    //! query the internal data value.
-    void fetch(Value& val);
+    //! query the internal data value and update the provided Value.
+    void fetch(Value& val) const;
+    //! Return a (shallow) copy of the internal data value
+    Value fetch() const;
 
     struct Impl;
 private:
diff --git a/src/sharedpv.cpp b/src/sharedpv.cpp
index 219b6a8..69b1e90 100644
--- a/src/sharedpv.cpp
+++ b/src/sharedpv.cpp
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ void SharedPV::post(const Value& val)
     }
 }
 
-void SharedPV::fetch(Value& val)
+void SharedPV::fetch(Value& val) const
 {
     if(!impl)
         throw std::logic_error("Empty SharedPV");
@@ -421,6 +421,20 @@ void SharedPV::fetch(Value& val)
     }
 }
 
+Value SharedPV::fetch() const
+{
+    if(!impl)
+        throw std::logic_error("Empty SharedPV");
+
+    Guard G(impl->lock);
+
+    if(impl->current) {
+        return impl->current.clone();
+    } else {
+        throw std::logic_error("open() first");
+    }
+}
+
 struct StaticSource::Impl : public Source
 {
     RWLock lock;