Bibliographic Management Tools: Zotero

Other tips for the Fordham community:

• Zotero help is available by appointment. Email one of the liaisons listed on this page to schedule a consultation.

• Want a library to show your class how to use Zotero? Submit a Library Instruction Request Form. Indicate on the form that you would like Zotero instruction for your class.

Have Zotero 5 installed but need to upgrade to Zotero 6?

• Open your Zotero Library and go to Help then Check for Updates and follow the prompts.
• After the update installs, restart Zotero to experience Zotero 6.

Read this blog post from Zotero to learn about the new features in Zotero 6.

Getting started with Zotero:

• Register for an online account at https://www.zotero.org/user/register
• Next, download a local version of Zotero 6 to your personal computer: https://www.zotero.org/download/

• Zotero should recognize your operating system. For example, the image above shows Zotero offering a Windows download on a Windows computer. If you have a Mac or use Linux, click the links to download for those operating systems.
• Next, open the Zotero library that was downloaded to your computer. On the top right side, look for the green arrow icon for syncing Zotero online accounts with the local, downloaded copy:

• Enter the information from your Zotero.org online account here:

• Press Set Up Syncing to finish the process.

To add a browser connector so that you can click to save research items you find online, go to to Tools > Install Browser Connector > and follow the prompts.

To link your browser connector with your Zotero library and Zotero.org account, you will have to authorize your Zotero account. Go to your browser extension settings and open up the Options menu.

On the General tab, click to Authorize under the Save to Zotero.org heading.

Zotero provides plugins that will allow you to cite from your Zotero database as you write your paper. "Cite while you write" features are offered with the following word processing tools:

• Using the Zotero Word Plugin
  • Troubleshooting page offering advice by operating system
• Using Zotero with Google Docs
• Using the Zotero LibreOffice Plugin

► After you configure the word processing option of your choice, close MS Word or the browser where you use Google Docs. Restart the application before trying to use the Zotero features.

 Zotero’s browser connectors have been creating access issues for researchers at many academic libraries. Use these instructions to check your browser connector to make sure you have the most up to date version.