Zotero
Follow these steps to install and begin using Zotero.
Zotero 7 is now available! Some information in this guide may be inaccurate. An update will be coming soon!
Zotero software installation
To take full advantage of Zotero, it's recommended to install the software on your computer, but also to create an online account and to install the browser extension Zotero Connector.
- Go to https://www.zotero.org/download/ and click on Download to install the software.
- Install Zotero Connector for Chrome or Firefox.
- Click on Register to create an account. The online account will permit you to access your library from any computer, and share your reference libraries online with others.
Did you know? Zotero has an IOS app and is developing an official Android app!
Linking Zotero to the Library's ressources
Configuring the link resolver will give you access through the Library ressources to the full text versions of references in the Zotero library. Thus, it will not be necessary to save PDFs in your Zotero library. Follow these steps:
Edit → Preferences → Advanced → OpenURL → Resolver → Copy and paste the following link in the text box : https://polymtl.on.worldcat.org/atoztitles/link
If, after double-clicking on the reference in Zotero, the full text is still unfindeable :
- Click on the button with the green arrow (Locate) on the top right.
- Select Library Lookup. The indexed document should then appear in Sofia.
Online account and software synchronization
To synchronize your online account with your desktop account, you will need to change the preferences in the installed version. Follow these steps in Zotero:
Edit → Preferences → Sync → Data Syncing
Enter the username and password you chose when you created your account on the Register page.
Zotero online and storage space
The sections Choose Libraries and File Syncing in the screen capture above, allows users to manage which libraries are being synced with the online account. The Library now provides free unlimited storage for the Polytechnique Montréal community!
Important! As a general rule, it is not allowed to save several articles (in PDF format) from the same publisher on a server accessible to multiple members of a research group. Our licenses do not allow it. Also, you must not share PDFs of articles from the Library's subscriptions with people outside of the Polytechnique Montréal community.
To find out if you can save PDFs to your Zotero library, please read the terms of use for the article in Sofia or in the bibliographic databases.
To ensure compliance, it is recommended that you do not store files in the group library (see steps on the Group Libraries page).
ZoteroPreview, an essential extension
ZoteroPreview is an extension, which is a software option that requires a separate download.
This free tool allows you to see the reference formatted in the style of your choice, directly in the software. Without the extension, you have to insert the reference in a Word document to see the formatting.
To use it, start by downloading the latest ZoteroPreview.xpi file from Github. If you have difficulty downloading the file, try a different browser.
After the download, follow these steps to install the add-on :
Tools → Add-ons → Cog icon → Install add-on from file → Choose the .xpi file from your downloads
For more information, consult the Library's Zotero guide (.pdf) (available only in French).
After installation, the new Preview tab on the right side allows you to easily check if all the necessary information is present, and formatted in the desired style (see below).
Click on Choose Preview Style to modify the style shown in the Preview tab.
