Zotero

Exporting References from a Database or Library Catalog

References can be exported from library databases (and the library catalog) into Zotero either in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Follow the steps below to export references into Zotero. *Note: You must have the Zotero desktop program open during this process. 

1.  Find an article in the database or book/eBook from the library catalog. Make sure to click on the title of the article/book from the list of results. 
2. Click on the Zotero icon (the piece of paper) at the top right hand corner of the computer screen. This is the Zotero extension that syncs with the desktop program. 
3. Choose the folder, if any, where the reference needs to go. 
4. In the Zotero desktop program, you will find the reference added to the folder you selected. The article will be attached to the reference if it was available in PDF within the database. (Books cannot be added to the references). 

Uploading and attaching documents to references in Zotero

Keeping track of the references needed for a research assignment is important as well as collecting the actual sources (i.e. articles, books, etc.). Zotero attaches articles to the references when they are exported from a database; however, there may be some articles that are not attached. You can manually upload them into Zotero and attach them to the reference. To do so: 

1. Download the article needed from the database onto a computer. Make sure to title and save it where you can remember it. 
2. Once the article is downloaded, open the Zotero desktop program and select (or highlight) the reference that you want the article attached to. 
3. Find the article on your computer, and drag and drop it onto the highlighted reference. You will see an icon indicating the article is attached. Simply double click the reference to access the article in Zotero. 

You can also attach documents to a reference by using the paperclip icon at the top of the screen (above the references). Simply:

1. Click the paperclip icon and select how you will find the attachment - a link or a file on your computer. 
2. Choose the file or insert the link you want attached. 
3. Click Ok. 

Manually Add References

If you have references that cannot be exported into Zotero, you have the option to add them manually.

You can add the references in manually by doing the following: 

1. Choose the green plus sign from the icon menu at the top and select the type of source you want added.
2. Fill in the required information and the information will be saved into the folder.

You can also add references by using unique identifiers such as the ISBN (books) or DOIs (articles). 

1. Select the wand icon with the green plus sign from the menu at the top. 
2. Enter the unique identifier in the search bar and the source will be brought up and added to the folder.