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Zotero

An easy, flexible, and free reference tool.

How to Add References Using Zotero

Adding Items Automatically

Open your browser and the Zotero desktop app - make sure this is the browser in which you installed the Zotero plug-in or extension.

Go to the web page of the thing you would like to save - this can be an article in a database, a book in the catalog, a youtube video, a website, or basically anythingScreenshot of a browser address bar with an arrow pointing to the Zotero connector icon next to the address bar.                                                                                                           

Click on the Zotero connector icon next to the address bar - the icon will change based on the type of item but it will always appear in the same place and clicking it will save the item to your Zotero library.

Check your Zotero library - to confirm the creation of a new item. You may now manually edit any of the information automatically collected from the webpage, including the original item type. Zotero is good, but it isn't perfect and some website designers format things in ways Zotero misunderstands. Always check to make sure the information is correct!

Zotero will also automatically save a pdf (if available) and a "snapshot" of the page you saved the item from.

Screenshot of the Zotero desktop app with arrows pointing to the green circle with white cross, item information panel, and sync button

Adding Items Manually

It's always best to use the browser connector to gather what information is possible even if an entry is incomplete. However, sometimes you may need to add an item that does not have a corresponding web page that the connector can pull metadata from.

Open your Zotero library - find the green New Item Icon and select the type of item you wish to add (book, document, journal article, etc.). You can use the "More" option to browse for additional item types.

Fill in the citation information - click on each field and enter as much information as you have.

Sync with your online library - click on the green sync icon to ensure your libraries are up to date.

Get Help! - Adding References