The Digital Archive of Pictures collects image files from different sources. First of all we catalogue selected images (usually in better quality) of the illustrated publications in the MEK or EPA collections, so these pictures can be searched and referred individually. Secondly we collect, describe and preserve pictures from other websites (e.g. image sharing sites) and from CD-ROM or DVD publications, and images submitted to the national library, if they are comply with the aim of the Digital Archive of Pictures and if we can get permission from their creator, owner or publisher. Such offers can be send to the addresses listed on our "Contact" page. More documents about the Image Archive can be found in the "Irattár" menu item.

The Image Archive can contain both still images and animations. An image document may consist of several files (e.g. a series of slides, a map cut into several parts) and is sometimes provided in several alternative formats (e.g. JPG and lossless TIFF). Each document is accompanied by at least one "stamp image" of 150 points in width, and for still images, a "normal image" of up to 770 points in width and usually a more detailed "large image". The resolution of the images is determined by the creator or owner of the document, who should usually be contacted if a higher quality version is required, and is also responsible for licensing issues relating to other uses. If the contact details of the person responsible are not included in the details of the image, it is worth writing to the general information address dka-info@oszk.hu.

Various browsing and searching facilities help you to find relevant images. If you click on the number of the documents, you will get a full list arranged by the record numbers. On the Hungarian homepage there are menu items with similar lists sorted by the date of acquisition, by popularity or by the name of the creator and the title of the document. By clicking on one of the five main topic buttons on the left side you can browse the collection by subject, and these searches can be transmitted to the MEK and EPA collections as well. There is a quick search form on the right side, where you may type a few words or characters truncated with asterisks. (You have to type Hungarian keywords into the "subject" field!) There is an other input form for searching in almost all (nearly a hundred) data fields. The collection has been divided into several subsets, these are searchable separately under the "Gyűjtemények" menu item.

Our aim is to create a searchable image collection of diverse content, high-resolution documents. The collection's growth can be monitored via RSS feeds. News about the image archive can be found on the "News" page. Help buttons in the appropriate places will help you to better understand how to use the system, especially the search functions. User feedback is welcome in the "Guestbook" and questions can be sent to dka-info@oszk.hu.