PDF - Printer Friendly version of this guide
Why use this database?
To find images from the Associated Press archive.
Description: The AccuNet/AP Multimedia Archive is an electronic
library containing over 750,000 Associated Press images mostly made
since 1995, though some date to the 1840s. The Archive features
two photo databases: an International photo archive that features
regional North American as well as international photos, and an
Euro/Asian photo archive that contains photos from Europe and Asia,
some with foreign-language captions. A separate archive consists
of graphics, maps, illustrations, and logos prepared by Associated
Press graphic artists dating back to 1999 and that can be downloaded
and opened as PDF files.
Availability and Use Restrictions:
In-Library
Use: Available at all library locations
Remote
Use: Boston Public Library Card required.
Searching
- Type a word or words in one or more of the search boxes; What,
When or Where.
- If desired, use the options on the side bar to choose how to
sort and display the image(s) as well as to change the archive.
- Click ENTER.
Advanced Searching
What Field
Boolean Operators may be used as well as many limiters.
- Color – type the desired color and :hue
(purple:hue)
- Concepts – Type the chosen concept and :concept
(power:concept)
- Category – type your choice and :category
(sports:category)
- Photographer – type the AP photographer’s
name and :byline (brady:byline)
- Phototype – type your search time and a phototype
selection and :phototype (‘Abraham lincoln’
and portrait:phototype)
- Lanugage – Choose Euro/Asia in the Image
Archives drop down menu. Type a search term in German or
Italian. The captioned text under the photo will match
the search language.
- Spanish Language Graphics – Choose Graphics
PDF in the Images Archives drop down menu and type spangraph,
or for a specific search type spangraph and the search
term (spangraph and agua)
When Field
- Type today to see up-to-the-minute coverage in photos
and graphics.
- Type yesterday to see all photos and graphics entered
yesterday.
- Type Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Friday, Saturday or Sunday to see images
entered within a specific day of the past week.
- Type a year (1999), a month and year (July 2003)
or a specific date (05/16/2003).
- Type from the beginning year then to and then
the ending year to search for a range (from 2000 to 2001
or from 01/01/2003 to 02/01/2003).
Where Field
Search by city, state, or country. Do not use abbreviations and
use single quotation marks around words that need to be adjacent
to each other. ('North Dakota')
Display Fields
Choose the way you want to see your display before you start your
search.
- You can choose to see 4 or 12 images the screen at one time
or view the results directory style.
- You may also choose how to sort the images (by relevancy or
newest to oldest)
Archive Type
There are three archives to choose from:
- International Photos - This is the default mode. It is
the entire database of photos from the entire world.
- Euro/Asia Photos - This is a regional European/Asian
database. Some photos are captioned in languages other than English.
- Graphics - This is the graphics database. It includes
graphics, maps, illustrations and logos. You will need Adobe Acrobat
to open the graphics.
Using the Boolean Operators
Combining Terms
Use OR to connect similar terms. OR broadens your search.
Example: hispanic or latino
Use AND to connect separate concepts. AND narrows your search.
Example: doctor and surgeon
Use NOT to eliminate separate concepts. NOT narrows your
search.
Example: kennedy not politician
Truncating Terms
Use * to replace one or more characters at the end of a search
term.
Examples: drug* (retrieves drug, drugs, druggist)
Proximity Searching
Use
w# to find terms within a specified number(#) of words of
each and in a specific order.
Example: white w2 constance (retrieves White, Helen Constance;
not Glenn, Constance White)
Use near#
to find terms within a specified number(#) of words regardless of
the order.
Example: white near2 constance (retrieves White, Helen Constance;
and Glenn, Constance White)
Use Single Quotation
Marks to find phrases.
Example: 'boston red sox'
Displaying Search Results
Photographs are displayed in rows with links to downloading, the
lightbox and captions under each photo
- Use the scroll bar to move through the list.
- Click on the photo and a larger image with the caption at the
bottom will pop up in a new window.
- Click DOWNLOAD to download image files.
- Click LIGHTBOX to add up to 25 files for later use. NOTE:
The lightbox is for the Boston Public Library’s subscription
to AccuNet, so other users may also be adding photos. It is recommended
that you download images rather than use this option since only
25 items are saved and we have many users.
- Click CAPTION to display the photo description.
Printing Search Results
- Click on a photo, which opens a new window.
- Click the print button on the menu bar of the new window.
- When you are done close the new window.
- If you are using this database within a BPL location there
is a charge for computer printing.
Downloading Search Results
- Click the download command under the photo.
- A new window will pop up, select the way you want to save the
photo.
- Click the Download button.
- Follow the instructions for Netscape or Explorer browsers.
- Insert a formatted disk into a floppy drive if you are using
library computers.
- Choose the location where you want the image saved.
- Click SAVE.
- Click CLOSE once the download has completed.
- Close the window.
Emailing Search Results
- Not available from this database.
Beginning a New Search
- Fill in the appropriate search fields at the top of the screen.
Exiting
Click logout on the side of the screen. Then once you have been
logged out, click the Home button.
PDF - Printer Friendly version of this guide
Return to top of page
|
