Frequently Asked Questions

MeRSZ (Magyar Elektronikus Referenciamű Szolgáltatás – Hungarian Electronic Reference Works Service) is Akadémiai Kiadó’s smart online library service, which was launched in 2016. MeRSZ contains more than a thousand Hungarian-language reference works, handbooks, higher education textbooks, and course books on a wide range of disciplines from biology to musicology in searchable and citable full-text format where even notes can be taken. MeRSZ has a responsive and unified appearance across all devices and environments.

The continuously improved platform of MeRSZ was created specifically for purposes of learning, education, and research. The system’s capabilities far surpass those of any other e-book solution currently available. MeRSZ services are primarily intended for staff members of educational institutions, students, librarians, and companies, as well as for individuals who want to consult, prepare presentations, or conduct research from authoritative handbooks, journals, and course books.

MeRSZ contains more than a thousand Hungarian-language reference works, handbooks, higher education textbooks, and course books on a wide range of disciplines from biology to musicology in searchable and citable full-text format where even notes can be taken.

Books published here are considered new digital editions. They are assigned ISBNs, and they can be listed in MTMT (Magyar Tudományos Művek Tára – Hungarian Science Bibliography).

Publications can be cited at paragraph level. Exact bibliographical references of cited texts can be copied with a single click (in APA, Chicago, or Harvard style). Bibliographical data can be downloaded in the format used by the most popular reference management apps.

The online format opens up opportunities for updating books so that users always receive up-to-date content.

The services of mersz.hu can be used by authors, corporate subscribers, staff members of libraries or educational institutions, students, and individual users. Each user type has unique access rights to use specific features on our website.

Institutional users can access MeRSZ content from the institution's IP addresses or remotely via eduID authentication. If eduID authentication is not available, they can create an individual account linked to the institutional access or request activation codes.

Individual users must have an individual user account identified by an email address and password, as well as a subscription, to access the full content and features of MeRSZ.

Authors receive full, indefinite access to MeRSZ upon the publication of their volume.

Click on mersz.hu/regisztracio/ or the Sign up button located in the top right corner of mersz.hu. Fill in the form, then accept the Privacy Policy and the General Terms and Conditions. If you have already signed up at akademiai.hu or szotar.net, there is no need to sign up here again as your existing log-in details can also be used at mersz.hu.

To log in, click on Log in at the top menu bar. Then enter the email address and password you provided when you signed up for our services, and click on the Log in button. After logging in, your name will appear on the right side of the top menu bar. If you wish to change your name and/or password, you can do so by clicking on the grey profile icon under My Account.

If you wish to change the email address used for signing up, please send your new email address to ak@akademiai.hu. Our Customer Service will modify your registration details.

Click on the Log in button located in the top right corner of mersz.hu. Click on the Forgot my password link under the log-in details to request a password reminder.

Two of the most common reasons for blocking user accounts are (1) violating the terms of use and (2) entering incorrect log-in details several times in a row.

In case of violating the terms of use (for instance, by initiating too many downloads in a short period of time), please contact our Customer Service at ak@akademiai.hu. If you repeatedly enter incorrect log-in details, the system will block your access for 50 minutes, after which the block will be lifted, and you can try to log in again.

To purchase a subscription, please click on the Subscribe button in the top right corner. Click on the relevant button on the right to choose between purchasing a subscription for 3, 6, or 12 months and starting a 1-hour free trial. At the top of the next page, the selected period will be highlighted in dark blue. Here, you will still have the option to change your selection.

You can pay online with a bank card. If you are not logged in, please fill in the registration and billing details, then read and accept the Privacy Policy and the General Terms and Conditions. If you are logged in, select the appropriate billing address or enter a new one. If your details are correct, click on the Pay button. The system will then redirect you to the secure payment page of CIB Bank. Here, you can start the transaction after entering your card details. If the transaction is successful, your account will have immediate access to the product you subscribed to.

You might be redirected to akademiai.hu after making a purchase. In this case, navigate back to mersz.hu, and log out, then log back in to your account. You will then be able to access the product you subscribed to. The expiration date of your subscription can be checked in the My Account section.

MeRSZ subscriptions can also be purchased at akademiai.hu. You can also pay via PayPal at akademiai.hu/mersz-hu.html.

If you encounter an error during the order or payment processes, please send an email to ak@akademiai.hu.

After the purchase is made, it is not possible to modify or cancel a subscription on the website. If you wish to modify or cancel your subscription, please send an email to ak@akademiai.hu, and we will contact you.

At mersz.hu, payments can be made online only by bank card. At akademiai.hu, subscriptions can be purchased online either by bank card or via PayPal.

If you encounter an error during the payment process, please send an email to ak@akademiai.hu. Further information on payment methods can be found on the websites of CIB Bank and PayPal.

If you cannot pay by bank card, you can pay for your subscription by bank transfer. The steps to take are the following:

1. Please send an email to ak@akademiai.hu saying that you would like to pay for your MeRSZ subscription by bank transfer.
2. We will first send you an invoice. The total amount must be transferred to the bank account number on the invoice. Please state the invoice number in the Description field.
3. Once the payment is received, we will set up your access to the given subscription in your account, or we will send you an activation code.

If you have further questions about payment transfers, please send an email to ak@akademiai.hu, and we will contact you.

The invoice will be sent as a PDF file within three business days to the email address you provided when you signed up for our services.

As an individual user, you can test all MeRSZ features for 1 hour.

How to start the trial period:

1. Sign up on the MeRSZ website or log in if you already have an account.
2. Click on the Subscribe button in the top right corner. Select the Free trial for 1 hour option. Click on Start in the pop-up window.
3. The orange bar at the top of the page will show how much time is left in the trial period.
4. To browse publications, click on Library at the top of the page or use the search function. From the results, select the book you are interested in. Click on its cover, then the Read button on the right.

During the trial period, you can access the entire content and all the features of the library. The folders and settings you create during the trial period will be preserved, so if you subscribe later with the email address you provided when you signed up for the trial, you will have access to these again.

The validity and expiration dates of your access can be checked by clicking on My Account or the Subscribe button.

Your access can be renewed by purchasing a new subscription. A detailed description of how to do this can be found in the “How to subscribe” section of the FAQ.

If you currently have a subscription, we recommend that you renew it only 1 to 30 days before it expires so that there would be no loss of unused time periods, as the period for the new subscription is always added to the expiration date of the previous subscription.

After a successful purchase, access will be available immediately and automatically in your account. An activation code may only be required in certain special cases, and we always send you specific information about this. If you do not have access to the subscription, please check your bank account to make sure the transfer has been completed. If the payment was successful, log out, then log back in to your account at mersz.hu, and check your access by clicking on My Account. If you still have no access or the system asks for an activation code, please send an email to ak@akademiai.hu to report the problem, and we will contact you.

Any private individual can create an individual account by filling in the registration form at mersz.hu/elofizetes/ . For more information on how to sign up, please see the “Signing up and logging in” section of the FAQ. You can test individual access for 1 hour free of charge. You can also purchase a MeRSZ subscription. Both are available at mersz.hu/elofizetes/.

MeRSZ subscriptions can be purchased at mersz.hu/elofizetes/. MeRSZ provides several additional convenience features besides those provided by institutional access.

You can watch short videos about MeRSZ features at mersz.hu/sugo/. These videos provide ideas and tips to help you make full use of the service.

If you have institutional access, and you sign up for an individual account, you can link your individual account to your institution’s subscription. As a result:

• You can access the entire content of MeRSZ anywhere, not only within the institution.
• You can test the convenience features of MeRSZ. You can activate your MeRSZ trial at mersz.hu/elofizetes/.

If you have further questions about user access rights, please contact our Customer Service at ak@akademiai.hu.

With institutional access, you have access to the entire content of the publications available on MeRSZ in searchable and citable full-text format where even notes can be taken. With institutional access, only some of the convenience features of MeRSZ can be used.

If you also sign up for an individual account, you can link it to your institution’s subscription. As a result:

• You can access the entire content of MeRSZ anywhere, not only within the institution.
• You can test the convenience features of MeRSZ. You can activate your MeRSZ trial at mersz.hu/elofizetes/.

The list of current institutional subscribers can be found here. The list of available publications can be downloaded here.

You can access individual MeRSZ subscriptions anytime and anywhere. Just log in to your account with the email address and password you provided when you signed up for our services. You can do this on any device. All you need is internet access and a web browser. Further information on the technical requirements recommended for the optimal user experience can be found here.

If you have institutional access, there are two options:

1. You can link your individual account to your institution’s subscription. In this way, you can access the entire content of MeRSZ anywhere, not only within the institution.
   1. Go to the university. Connect to the Wi-Fi. Launch MeRSZ.
   2. Click on Access with individual account in the upper right corner.
   3. Create an individual account to access hundreds of publications and your customized content from anywhere, anytime.
2. You can log in with your eduID.
   How to connect:
   1. Click on the Log in with eduID button in the upper right corner.
   2. Select your institution from the list in the pop-up window.
   3. Enter your username and password that you received from the institution.

You can check whether your institution subscribes to MeRSZ at eduid.hu/en/resztvevok/.

You can request access from your institution. Usually, the institution’s administrative offices can help you with this.

If you are unable to log in with your eduID, please contact your institution’s administrative office that originally provided you with your access details. We are unable to activate or restore expired and inactive eduIDs.

Further information on remote access can be found at mersz.hu/tavoli-eleres/.

You can access MeRSZ publications using your eduID that can be requested from your institution.

How to connect:

1. Click on the Log in with eduID button in the upper right corner.
2. Select your institution from the list in the pop-up window.
3. Enter your username and password that you received from the institution.

You can check whether your institution subscribes to MeRSZ at eduid.hu/en/resztvevok/.

You can request access from your institution. Usually, the institution’s administrative offices can help you with this.

If you are unable to log in with your eduID, please contact your institution’s administrative office that originally provided you with your access details. We are unable to activate or restore expired and inactive eduIDs.

Further information on remote access can be found at mersz.hu/tavoli-eleres/.

The smart online library service at mersz.hu contains nearly a thousand copyrighted handbooks in one place. MeRSZ provides an authoritative source of knowledge for doing research, creating presentations, and writing applications, among many other things.

Further benefits of corporate access:

• Flexible access anywhere, anytime.
• The system works on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones.
• The service is available anywhere within the company’s IP range without a separate user log-in.
• The library can be used simultaneously by multiple employees.
• Flexible pricing based on the number of users.
• Access through the Internet.
• No local installation or operating costs.
• No separate user log-in required.

Corporate features of MeRSZ:

• Search conveniently.
• Explore all publications using full-text search.
• Add bookmarks and customized notes.
• Mark your favorite publications.
• Customize navigation within publications and choose between reading books page by page or by scrolling continuously.

For companies, we provide customized access to MeRSZ publications. We tailor our pricing to user needs. Free trial access and custom offers can be requested by filling in the quotation form at mersz.hu/cegeknek/ or by contacting our Customer Service directly.

MeRSZ mainly offers access to scientific and popular science publications, as well as to higher education course books and textbooks.

On MeRSZ, publications can be accessed directly from the browser and can be read online. With an active MeRSZ subscription, publications can be downloaded to any computer or mobile device. The downloaded publications can be freely read during the subscription period. However, only the basic features of MeRSZ are available in offline mode.

If you have a MeRSZ subscription, the following practical functions and convenience features are available in publications:

• Predictive search
• Search within publications
• Favorites
• Text highlighting
• Custom folders
• Bookmarks and notes
• AI-supported image search
• Navigation
• Offline use

In offline mode, only the basic features of MeRSZ are available.

To learn more about these features, please watch our videos at mersz.hu/sugo/.

Subscribers using the MeRSZ service are assisted by artificial intelligence in their searches on the site, which analyzes the original image content and text, diagrams, and labels appearing in the images found in the mersz.hu publications to display relevant results.

The AI image search analyzes the actual content of images, such as objects, text, formulas, etc. visible in figures, graphics, diagrams, or photos, thus expanding the function and relevance of keyword search.

On Image Usage and Copyright

The images listed in the search results are always original images or illustrations published in specific publications, not AI-generated content. The use of images is subject to the applicable copyright regulations.

We offer two convenient options to cite publications available on MeRSZ.

1. Navigate to the specific section of the publication that you want to cite. Click on the quotation mark icon in the bottom right corner. The system then offers you the three most popular citation styles (Harvard, Chicago, and APA) in a pop-up window, ready for you to copy the publication details in the selected style.
2. From the same window, you can also download the bibliographical data of the paragraph in the format you select (Bibtex, Endnote, Mendeley, or Zotero). Downloads can be imported into various reference management systems so that other formats can be generated from them. You can download the same formats with the data for the entire book from the book’s home page.
3. The references feature works even in offline mode.

Publications on MeRSZ do not have page numbers. You can cite a specific publication or section by listing its web path. This is the case even if there is also a printed version of the publication.

The publications on MeRSZ.hu are also available offline (without an internet connection) for users with a MeRSZ subscription. After logging in, any book can be downloaded and read offline.

Publications can be downloaded to desktop computers, laptops, tablets, or mobile phones, irrespective of the operating system (Windows, Android, iOS, etc.), but not to e-book readers. The size of the publications varies between 1 and 100 MB, so it is important that the device has enough storage space for the downloads and that the user has a stable internet connection during the downloads.

The downloaded publications can be found in the DOWNLOADS menu. In offline mode, several convenience features can be used, such as using the table of contents, navigating between chapters, or adjusting the font size and line spacing. However, some editing functions (such as searching publications, inserting bookmarks, taking notes, and highlighting text) are not available in offline mode.

After the subscription expires, the downloaded publications will remain visible in the DOWNLOADS folder, but they cannot be opened anymore. Once the subscription is renewed, the previously downloaded publications will again be available offline, so it is not necessary to download them again. The downloaded publications can be deleted from the DOWNLOADS folder at any time. MeRSZ subscribers can download an unlimited number of publications. The number of downloads is limited only by the storage capacity of the device.

More information about using MeRSZ.hu offline can be found on our HELP FOR OFFLINE USE page.

Publications on MeRSZ can be downloaded and printed page by page, but publishing them in full is against the law, just as in the case of printed publications.

Certain publications on MeRSZ can be accessed and read without a subscription or a user account. A full list of publications can be found at mersz.hu/konyvtar/szabadon-elerheto-kiadvanyok/r/1/.

Many, but not all, of Akadémiai Kiadó’s publications on MeRSZ are also available for purchase in print. For more information, please visit our webshop at akademiai.hu.

If you do not find the contents of the Folders or Favorites folders after logging in, check if you logged in with the same username as before! If you opened the page within your institution's network, the browser might identify you as an Institutional User. In this case, click on the profile icon to log out of the institutional login and log in to your individual account.

The system only allows the use of the Folders and Favorites folders with the account details provided during registration. If you logged in with the account identifier provided at registration and still do not find the saved data, please contact our customer service at ak@akademiai.hu.

The technical specifications for using our website and our recommendations for its optimal operation are as follows:

1. Computer or laptop:

   • Operating system: the latest version of the available operating systems, such as Windows 10, macOS, or Big Sur.
   • Browser: the latest version of popular browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari.

2. Smartphone or tablet:

   • Operating system: the latest version of the operating system available for the device, such as iOS or Android.
   • Browser: the latest version of the default browser available for the device’s operating system, such as Safari on iOS or Google Chrome on Android.

The following may also be useful to ensure smooth operation:

• Internet connection: stable and reliable internet connection, preferably broadband or mobile data connection (not for offline reading).
• Display: a display with the right size and resolution for comfortable reading and navigation.
• Mouse or touchscreen: a mouse or touchscreen that can be used to interact with the software when scrolling pages or clicking links, among other things.

You can access our services and publications on your desktop computer, laptop, Chromebook, smartphone, or tablet, as long as you have a good internet connection.

With a MeRSZ subscription, our publications are available for offline use on any of the above devices. More information about using MeRSZ.hu offline can be found on our HELP FOR OFFLINE USE page.

The mersz.hu website is best experienced using Microsoft Edge, Safari, Google Chrome, and Firefox.

If you use MeRSZ with an older version of the browsers listed above or with a different browser, you may not be able to use some features. In addition, some browser add-ons may interfere with site functionality. Please make sure that your browser and operating system are always up to date to have a great experience using MeRSZ.