In order to improve the image retrieval effect of smart archives, reduce retrieval time, and enhance retrieval performance, this paper proposes an image retrieval technology for smart archives from the perspective of national reading. According to the concept of nationwide reading and considering the internal and external influencing factors, mobile visual retrieval service for users of smart archives is provided, and the mobile visual retrieval model for users of smart archives is constructed by using a standardized structure and mixed structure. During the operation of the model, the image feature similarity of the wisdom archive is calculated, and the image is processed by the corresponding module, so as to realize the image retrieval technology research of the wisdom archive from the national reading perspective. The experimental results show that the designed technology has better retrieval effect, shorter time, and better performance.