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UMBC
Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Citing Sources

What is Zotero

Zotero is a free, web-based citation manager that collects, organizes, cites, and shares citations. Citations can be directly transferred from select databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Library catalog, etc), select websites, imported from saved (exported) records, or entered individually. Citations can be saved with cloud storage though an online library account.

Zotero can be accessed from any computer with internet access.

http://www.zotero.org/

Installation

Installing Zotero

  1. Go to https://www.zotero.org/download/
  2. Click  Download (Zotero DOES NOT work with Chromebooks)
  3. Open the downloaded Zotero file (.exe or .dmg)
  4. Follow the installation directions
    1. Zotero and an MS Word add-in will be installed automatically
  5. Open the Zotero program
  6. Open MS Word
    1.   Notice the word Zotero on your toolbar
  7. Restart your computer if prompted

Zotero Connector

  1. Go to https://www.zotero.org/download
  2. Select your browser extension under Zotero connector
  3. Select Add Extension when prompted
  4. Browser may restart after installation
  5. You'll notice a Zotero icon in your browser

Zotero Three Columns

ZOTERO THREE COLUMNS: The three columns of your Zotero library all work together to help you organize your collection.

  • Left Column: contains your full library (My Library) and your individual collections (folders), which are subsets of My Library
  • Middle Column: shows the items from one collection (folder) that is highlighted in the left column
  • Right Column: shows citation information (ex: author, volume, title, etc…) from the item that is selected in the middle column