Sharon Oldale is a highly experienced book, paper and archive conservator. Sharon began her career in 1998 working as a Documentation Assistant for the National Trust. Once qualified, she took a Conservator position at the National Library of Wales in 1999, and then at Cheshire Record Office in 2000. In 2006 she became Senior Conservator at Liverpool Record Office. Sharon Oldale Conservation was established in 2015.
Commissioning work: All work undertaken follows a diagnostic examination of an object or collection. The client’s needs and the intended future use of the item/s are discussed and a detailed report is provided outlining the pre-treatment condition, treatment options, materials and costs. This service is offered free of charge and without obligation. Once a treatment path has been agreed, collection is arranged and work begins. Full consultation is offered throughout a project to final reporting and advice on aftercare. A collection and delivery service is available upon request.
Work is carried out in fully insured secure premises, and all treatments are in accordance with:
- Icon Professional Standards
- Icon Code of Conduct
- BS4971:2002 Repair and allied processes for the conservation of documents
- PD5454:2012 Guide for the storage and exhibition of archival materials
Sharon is also insured to work on site, so if your project demands she brings the conservation to you, she is happy to do so.
Collection Care
Sharon offers advice and assistance for all areas of collection care including:
- The safe handling of objects
- Preservation packaging, boxing and protection; including the use and sourcing of suitable storage materials
- Cleaning of collections and establishing good housekeeping regimes
- Environmental control and monitoring
- Integrated pest management
- Condition assessment surveys
- The development and implementation of conservation plans
- Writing policies to manage the care and preservation of collections
Loans & Exhibitions
Sharon can provide detailed condition assessments for items leaving an institution for loan. She offers advice and assistance regarding the care of objects in transit; including appropriate packaging and handling. She can also advise on the correct support and display of items and assist in their installation.
Emergency Response & Salvage
Sharon offers a range of emergency response services: On-site emergency planning training includes writing a disaster plan, disaster prevention, emergency response, salvage procedures and disaster recovery. Should a client require professional services in the event of a disaster, Sharon is willing to work on site, assisting with leading or coordinating salvage teams, participating in the salvage of collections and providing general conservation support.
Project Management
Sharon offers an on-site project management service. This includes the planning, organisation and management of resources and staff to a budget and timescale set by the client. Previous projects include:
- The packaging of a major UK archive’s collections in preparation for a move
- Designing and equipping a new conservation facility within a new build
Training
Sharon provides training sessions, seminars and lectures on a variety of conservation and preservation related topics. She has experience of speaking to a range of audiences from school children and students to local history groups and women’s societies to professional staff and fellow conservators.
Innholders Company Record Book, 1571
‘The English Physitian’ – Culpepper 1665
‘Fairground Ride’ – Susan Williams-Ellis Foundation
Psalms & New Testament 1628 – University of Liverpool Library Special Collections & Archives
Client testimonials
It is an absolute pleasure to work with Sharon. Throughout the process of arranging conservation for severely water-damaged material, she has provided an incredibly thorough and clear service. Sharon is extremely efficient and prompt in her work and her informative reports have been very useful to the project more widely. She has kept us updated throughout with a comprehensive treatment plan and timeframe and is easy to work with in every aspect.
Fiona Doran
National Trust
The Innholders are delighted with the restoration of our Company Record Book and a formal Dedication acknowledging Sharon's work is to be inscribed in the Book to record this important event in our history.
Jennifer Maddock
Company Steward, The Innholders, Cooks and Victaullers Company of the City of Chester