Zotero: An Information Playlist

for Libraries & Librarians

Chanitra Bishop, Indiana UniversityJessica Trinoskey, IUPUI

ILF 2010 Annual ConferenceNovember 17, 2010

Program Outline1. Overview of Zotero2. Demonstrate Zotero Features3. Zotero in Your Library

Zotero

What is Zotero?(quick video)

Zotero

Zotero is:

Source: www.zotero.org/about/

To Summarize:• Zotero is a free bibliographic management tool.

• Zotero exists within Firefox.

• With Zotero, you can:• Collect, store, and organize web resources in

your Zotero library.• Export citations and create bibliographies.• Share citations and notes.

Your Zotero Library

Right Column TabsInfo: Displays bibliographic information such as author, title, pages; also allow you to find the item online using the “View” or “Locate” buttonsNotes: Use this area to write down ideas/comments related to the articleTags: Add subject headings or keywords to your citations; automatically added by some databasesRelated: This tab allows you to connect related citations in your library

Zotero

Columns• The left column allow you to organize

your library. You can create collections within your library, manage your tags and import/export citations

• The middle column displays the references in your library & allows you to manually add citations, take a snapshot of a web page, etc.

• The right column displays bibliographic information for each citation. It contains 4 tabs that allows you to add or edit information for each citation

Importing citations into ZoteroWhen Zotero “recognizes” a website/catalog/database,

import citations with a click of an icon in the location bar:

When Zotero doesn’t automatically recognize a resource, import citations manually with a click of an icon in your Zotero library:

… or just take a quick snapshot of the current page:

Zotero

Organizing Your Zotero Library

• Creating Collections

• Tags

Customizing ZoteroGears icon, select preferences

SyncingAutomatically sync your data between multiple computers

Zotero Online

With your Zotero account: – View your Zotero library anywhere there is an

Internet connection using any web browser– Store & access PDFs, images, & other files in your

Zotero library• 100 MB Free• 1 GB $20 per yr • 5 GB $60 per yr • 10 GB $100 per yr • 25 GB $240 per yr

Creating a Bibliography (1)

Right click an Item & Create Bibliography

Zotero

Creating a Bibliography (2)

Drag and Drop into any text editor:• Email messages• Word documents• Blogs

Zotero

Creating a Bibliography (3)

Microsoft Word Plug-in (Mac)

Zotero

Microsoft Word Plug-in (PC)

Archive & Annotate the Web

• Annotate/Snapshots– Add Item From Current Page

• Amazon• NY Times• Blogs• Wikipedia

Groups• Easy to set up

• Can be public or private

• Access is controlled by group administrator

• Allow others to view citations and notes

• Group Discussions

Zotero Everywhere!

• Currently under development (no timeline)• Standalone desktop version of Zotero for

Macs, Windows & Linux• Web & mobile version with read/write access

to Zotero libraries• Available in Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Considerations

• Currently only works in Firefox

• Update lags (doesn’t always work)

• Perpetual Beta Mode

• No on-demand help function

Zotero

For Assistance

• Getting Help Guide

• Zotero Forums– Determine if a problem is known– Take advantage of an enthusiastic community of

users

Using Zotero Where You (And Your Library Users)

Are

Individual Users/Projects

Sample projects include:• Amateur genealogists• Home remodel project

• Archiving personal receipts

Collection Development with Zotero

Use Zotero to store records of items, then go back and take a closer look when you have time dedicated to collection development.

• Amazon.com bestsellers• Take snapshots of articles, blog entries, etc.

Zotero

Groups – Book Club

• Book Club

• Committee Work

Groups – Committee Work

• Book Club

• Committee Work

Zotero in the Classroom

Zotero & Information Literacy

• Encourage good research habits • Help students organize their research & keep

track of citations– Easy to cite sources – Easily locate the source again using the “Locate”

button in Zotero– Encourage students to add call number of books

Zotero

Zotero & Information Literacy

• Track and understand type of sources used– Web site, book chapter, book, journal article,

newspaper art, – Keep track of information found

Has enough background information been found? Is it a primary/secondary sources?

• Annotated Bibliography– Use “Notes” to indicate why a particular source

was chosen & create “report”

Zotero

Evaluating Information

Help students choose articles, websites, etc. appropriate for research– Select web site(s) & analyze in small groups or as a

class– Use annotate features to highlight words/phrases

that indicate: • Bias• Creditability• purpose

Evaluating Websites

Require students to create new Zotero items from web pages and manually enter citation information for each web site. – encourages students to think more critically about

the web sites they choose • Who actually created this site (organization or

individual)? • When was the web site created/when was the last time

it was updated

– Use notes feature to discuss accuracy & purposeZotero

Evaluating Websites

– helps students to better understand the authorship and organization of web sites

• Is this web site a part of a larger site?• Does the site have multiple authors?• Is this the main site or a blog?

– Web sites are dynamic and may change

Zotero

Links to Get You Started(also on the handout)

• Quick Links/Getting Started Guide:www.zotero.org/support

• “How do I back up my Zotero Library?” (including troubleshooting)www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data

• Zotero Groups home:

www.zotero.org/groups • Word Processor Integration

www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_integration

• Screencast Tutorials:www.zotero.org/support/screencast_tutorials

Questions?

Presentation content & image credit: www.zotero.org