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Zotero

Zotero is a bibliographic software program which manages references (citations) you collect from databases, library catalogues, websites or create manually. The program automatically formats the saved citations in any standard reference format. Zotero is capable of storing fulltext articles, creating a snapshot image and/or a web link of any webpage. Zotero also offers the ability to store and synchronise your collected references on an internet based server.

About Zotero

The Zotero website offers many video presentations and tutorials ranging from an overview to specific features and functions.

Obtaining Zotero

Currently Zotero is only able to run with Mozilla’s Firefox browser. This browser will need to be installed on your computer before any other step.

The Firefox browser installation file can be downloaded from:

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

Once Firefox has been installed you can easily install Zotero from the website. See the installation heading below.

Installing Zotero

Ensure you have Mozilla’s Firefox browser installed as explained earlier. Installation instructions can be found on the Zotero website, including video detailing installation and registering of personal accounts, as well as troubleshooting hints for the installation process.

On campus

The Firefox browser is installed on many of the University computers. However Zotero may not be installed on to the browser itself. In some cases you may be able to download and install Zotero yourself but if this is not possible please contact the computer support person for your department/faculty.

Zotero COMPATIBILITY

Firefox, and Zotero by association, is compatible with most recent Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. As long as your computer can install and use Mozilla’s Firefox browser then installing and running Zotero shouldn’t be a problem. If you need help with Firefox, head to the Firefox website.

If you encounter problems you can visit the Zotero website to try and find solutions.

Word Processing Software

The following link provides the necessary information and plug-ins required for Zotero to work with a variety of Word processing software.

A Summary of compatible word processors and operating systems is listed here.

Microsoft Word
- Word 200 or newer with Windows 2000 or newer
- Word 2004, 2008 and 2011 with Mac OS X 10.4 or newer
OpenOffice
LibreOffice
NeoOffice

Google Docs

Full compatibility is not yet implemented but Citations and individual references can be inserted as follows.

With the reference highlighted in your library press...

Windows: Ctrl+Alt+A to copy a Citation
Mac: Cmd+Shift+A to copy a Citation

Windows: Ctrl+Alt+C to copy a full reference
Mac: Cmd+Shift+C to copy a full reference

Then, with the pointer in an appropriate location in the document, Paste the information...

Windows: Ctrl+V
Mac: Cmd+V

Alternatively, selecting and dragging a reference from your library directly on to the Google document will also insert a full reference.

Tutorials and Guides

Subject Librarians run regular Zotero tutorials. If you would like more information on available tutorials or you wish to request a tutorial session, contact your Subject Librarian.

Other online guides to getting you started or troubleshooting issues: