Zotero

So now you have Zotero and you're ready to start building your library!

1. Find the source you want to save to Zotero by using Catalyst, library databases, Google, etc.
2. Click the icon in the browser bar. Zotero will automatically save all the information it can identify to your library. Remember, this icon will appear different depending on the source type (book, article, webpage, etc.).

Please Note
If you see the gray icon pictured below, this is a non-supported website. Zotero will attempt to collect as much information as possible, but you will want to find the item record in your Zotero library and add/edit the information. If you see a blue version of this icon, it is a supported website (examples: New York Times, TIME Magazine) and Zotero should generally capture the necessary information. Items identified as journal articles, books, photos, films, etc. will display different icons.

If you need to add physical books, DVDs, or other non-electronic sources to your Zotero library, here are two ways to do it:

Finding Item Information Online

1. Go to the St. Olaf Libraries website and use the large search box to search Catalyst for your source OR search for it using a site like Amazon
2. Click on your source so it is the only one displayed on the page
3. Click the Zotero icon in the browser bar (again, note that this icon changes appearance depending on the source type)

The item record is now saved in your Zotero library

Adding an Item Record to Your Library Manually

1. In Zotero, open the collection to which you want to add the new item
2. Click the "New Item" button near the upper left corner of the page -- it looks like a sheet of paper with a plus sign (pictured below)
3. Select the item format (book, article, etc.)
4. Fill out the item information you wish to include in the record (author, title, etc.)

The item record is now saved in your Zotero library

Zotero allows you to save PDF files with your sources so you can browse and read full text wherever you are.

Add PDFs Manually

1. Click on the item record to which you want to add the PDF
2. To attach the file, click and drag the PDF from your Downloads folder (or wherever you have it accessible) to the item record in Zotero
3. To access the PDF, double click on the article record; the PDF should open in a new tab within your Zotero library

Automatically Download PDFs

The default Zotero settings will automatically download any PDF files that are associated with new sources you save to your library. To view/change this setting:

1. Open your Zotero library
2. Click "Edit" (PC users) or "Zotero" (Mac users), then click "Settings"
3. In the "General" tab, under the "File Handling" section, make sure the option labeled "Automatically attached associated PDFs and other files when saving items" is selected.

All attachments should now be automatically downloaded into your Zotero library

You can set up Zotero to check whether St. Olaf has access to the full text of an article at the click of a button.

1. Click "Edit" (PC) or "Zotero" (Mac), then "Settings"
2. In "Settings," click the "General" tab
3. Scroll down to the section labeled "Locate," then enter this link into the "Base URL" box

https://bridge.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/openurl/01BRC_INST/01BRC_INST:SOC?

You are now able to check for full text access through St. Olaf by viewing an article record and clicking the gray arrow button on the right side of the page, then clicking "Library Lookup."