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Zotero

Submitted by THemstock on Fri, 10/30/2009 - 11:00
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As the library blog migrates to a new format I am reposting the "greatest hits" from the old blog. These entries have been updated with new web links where appropriate and reformatted for the new blog. Think of these entries as catching up with old friends or learning about a resource that you missed the first time.

The entry below was originally published by Roberta Woods in three parts on February 19, 2009, March 10, 2009 and April 9, 2009.

 

Zotero - What is it? (Part I) 

 Zotero is a plugin for your Firefox browser to capture, import and archive information from the web.  You can create a bibliography from the library catalog simply by clicking on the "book" icon in the browser's URL box.  Zotero recognizes the various fields in the catalog record and pulls that information from the record.  But Zotero can do so much more.  It can also capture web pages and pdfs.  You can highlight and annotate pages, add notes and much more.  Your bibliography will include the last time you accessed the web page and the URL.  Best of all, Zotero is FREE. 

Using a Firefox browser simply go to the Zotero site and download it.  The GUI was built on the iTunes model so those familiar with the iTunes interface will intuitively know how it works.  There are hundreds of styles built in, including Bluebook - Law Review style.  Once you've installed Zotero, you'll see the word "zotero" at the bottom right-hand side of your browser window.  Click on it and the Zotero interface will rise up from the bottom of the browser window. 

Now do a search in MelCat.  Click open one of the results.  On the right-hand side of the address bar you'll see a book icon.  Click on it and that book will be added to your library.  It's that simple. 

Sometimes you will see a folder icon where the book icon is.  Click on it and choose some or all of the links listed to add to your library.

No icon?  No problem.  Click on the paper icon and add the site to your library.

More later...meanwhile, enjoy.

Zotero - Access Zotero Library from any Computer (Part II)

 

Zotero - Success Story (Part III) 

 

Today, the value of using Zotero to collect and maintain my research paid off.  I had printed a copy of a law review article and then loaned it to a colleague.  I wanted to refer to something in the law review later and asked my colleague if s/he still had the print copy.  S/he had disposed of it and neither of us could remember the author or journal, but we vaguely remembered the title and year.  Not knowing where I found the article originally meant re-searching numerous indexes and databases.  If I found the article online it was possible that I had saved it to Zotero.  Before I started the re-search I opened my Firefox browser and pulled up Zotero.  In my research folder I found the article. 

If you would like to save yourself from re-search as I did, give Zotero a whirl.  I'm happy to help you getting started.  Just ask!

http://www.zotero.org

 

Zotero is truly the portable research toolbox.  Zotero's beta version 1.5 allows you to sync your files so that the research you did on your laptop at school is available on your desktop at home or work.  Previously Zotero was limited to one Firefox profile on one computer at a time.  This ability to sync your library expands the capability of Zotero. If you have version 1.0 installed, then you should upgrade to 1.5 to get the sync capability.  Also, you'll need to register to create an account on Zotero, but it's free.

Zotero still automatically extracts bibliographic detail from any page online. You can still save the entire page, article or pdf in your library. Your library is still indexed for easy retrievability and you can still tag and make notes on individual records in your library. Citations are offered in thousands of formats, and Zotero can also insert them appropriately in your writing.

This 3 minute screencast made by the Zotero folks shows some of the features.  Now, we just need it to write our papers for us and then it will be perfect!

http://www.zotero.org/blog/zotero-15-beta-released-join-us-in-the-clouds/

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