Welcome to the Zotero LibGuide!
What is Zotero? It's an open-access, easy-to-use citation software and reference management tool that allows you to collect, organize, cite, and share your research sources. Zotero allows you to save and cite sources from the library, research databases, and the internet.
Introducing Zotero 7.0
With the release of 7.0, Zotero underwent its most significant redesign ever. The online video tutorials presented below feature Zotero 5.0. We are currently in the process of updating these videos to 7.0, but for now their guidance still works in the updated version with a few notes.
In Zotero 7.0:
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Preferences are now called Settings
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The Word and Google ribbons now have an Insert Note option
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The horizontal tabs (Info, Tags, Notes, etc.) on the right-side item pane are now displayed as collapsible vertical sections
New Unlimited Storage!
In addition, Ohio University now has an institutional subscription to Zotero. This means that any current Zotero user that has an ohio.edu email address associated with their account will now see in their settings that they have Unlimited Storage provided by Ohio University. This unlimited storage will continue for the user as long as they have a verified ohio.edu address associated with their Zotero account (whether primary or secondary). Steps for accessing Zotero's unlimited storage are available on this FAQ.
Need help?
Click the Contact/Need Help? tab on the left to connect with your librarian for support!
Zotero Online Video Series
Downloading Zotero (https://www.zotero.org/)
This video will show you how to download Zotero and the Zotero Connector to your computer as well as show you how to create an online account. If you are using a Chromebook, follow these instructions on the Zotero website.
Setting Your Preferences in Zotero
This video demonstrates how to set your preferences like your choice of citation style guide and which account you would like to sync your Zotero library with. Please note Preferences are now called Settings in Zotero 7.0.
Increasing full-text gathering in Zotero by adding Ohio University to the OpenURL advanced preference setting
By adding Ohio University's OpenURL, you will increase Zotero's ability to identify Ohio University Libraries' full text subscriptions and gather the full PDF to your library.
Steps to add Ohio University to the OpenURL:
- In the Zotero software, click on Edit and then Preferences
- Navigate to Advanced within Zotero Preferences
- Under OpenURL, click on the drop down menu and click on "North America" and then "Ohio University"
- Save preferences
Screenshot below demonstrates what to look for in Zotero's Preferences
Pulling Citations from ArticlesPlus into Zotero
This video will walk you through how to bring citations into Zotero from ArticlesPlus, one of our most popular databases.
Pulling Citations from Google Scholar into Zotero
This video will demonstrate how to pull citations into Zotero from a Google Scholar results list.
Pulling Citations from Desktop into Zotero
If you have PDFs already saved to your computer this video will show you have to pull them into Zotero.
Manually Input a Citation into Zotero
This video will demonstrate how to put a citation into Zotero on your own if you are not importing from a database or some other source.
Increasing full-text gathering in Zotero by adding Ohio University to the OpenURL advanced preference setting
By adding Ohio University's OpenURL, you will increase Zotero's ability to identify Ohio University Libraries' full text subscriptions and gather the full PDF to your library.
Steps to add Ohio University to the OpenURL:
- In the Zotero software, click on Edit and then Preferences
- Navigate to Advanced within Zotero Preferences
- Under OpenURL, click on the drop down menu and click on "North America" and then "Ohio University"
- Save preferences
Screenshot below demonstrates what to look for in Zotero's Preferences
Organizing Your Collections in Zotero
This video will describe your collection (folder) options within Zotero, including shared/collaborative collections.
Using Tags to Organize in Zotero
This video will describe how the tagging feature works in Zotero and will demonstrate how you create your own tags for your records.
Using Notes to Organize in Zotero
This video shows you how to add notes to your records.
Using the Related Feature and PDF Marks in Zotero
This video explains how the related feature works as well as demonstrates how Zotero saves your PDF mark ups.
Getting Zotero in Microsoft Word and Google Docs Ribbon
Before you can cite as you write in Microsoft Word and Google Dos with Zotero, you must first have the Zotero plug in in your ribbon (toolbar) within these writing programs. This video will show you how to ensure the Zotero plug in is in your ribbon.
Understanding Zotero Functionality in Word and Google
This video will describe the functionality of each button of the Zotero plug in so you can use the plug in to cite as you write.
Adding Citations to Word and Google with Zotero
This video will show you how to insert citations into your writing document using the Zotero plug in (cite as you write) and then how to create your reference list (bibliography) at the end of your document.
Citing with Drag and Drop and Export with Zotero
This video will show you how to create a reference list (bibliography or citation list) by dragging and dropping your records into a writing platform as well as how to create a bibliography via export.
Entire Zotero Online Workshop
This video has all 16 segments of the Zotero Online Workshop combined, in order and looped, if you would prefer to sit back and watch in sequence.
Why Zotero
Zotero is useful from the start of your college career!
1. Zotero is free: it comes at no additional cost to you even after you graduate from college
2. Research can be organized quickly and easily: extensions can be downloaded on your browser of choice – Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari
3. Zotero can be synced across multiple devices: The cloud based version can be downloaded onto multiple devices
4. Easy shareability: Private and public groups can be created and you can add members to view/ add resources
5. Adding citations is easy: when using word processors like Word and Google Docs adding/editing citations is easy with the Zotero Connector that should automatically appear in your menu