There is provided an image reading method and an image reading system enabling various settings with easy operation and capable of acquiring image data obtained through scanning in a state where the client's security is fully secured. An image reading apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected with the image reading apparatus over a network are provided, and a shared storage area readable/writable by the image reading apparatus and the information processing apparatus is provided in the image reading apparatus or in an electric computer or in another apparatus connected with the network. The information processing apparatus creates an image link object associated with information relating to scanning and transmits scan preparation information including information relating to the scanning to the image reading apparatus. The image reading apparatus executes scanning based on the scan preparation information received, and saves an image data file obtained through scanning on the shared storage area.