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Zotero

Zotero is free, easy to use software that helps you save, manage, and cite research sources.

Unlimited Zotero Storage for Reynolda Campus Users

ZSR Library provides unlimited Zotero file storage to all Reynolda Campus users. Anyone with a wfu.edu email address can now sync unlimited file attachments to their Zotero online library, including PDFs, audio and video files, images, and Word documents. 

  • If your zotero.org account is associated with your wfu.edu email address, it should already be activated for you. Check for “Institutional Storage” by logging in at zotero.org/settings/storage.  
  • If you don’t see that, ensure that you have added your wfu.edu email address to your zotero.org account. 
  • Make sure that you have file syncing turned on in your Zotero Sync Preferences. 

Register for an Account

Registering for a free Zotero account gives you a number of benefits, including the ability to sync your library between computers and the Zotero cloud, participate on the Zotero forums, and create and participate in shared Zotero groups. To create an account:

  1. Go to www.zotero.org.
  2. In the upper right hand corner, click Register.
  3. Provide a username, email address, & password. 
  4. Follow the instructions provided in the resulting confirmation e-mail to activate your account.

When you have completed creating your Zotero account, see Syncing Your Library to sync your source data to zotero.org.

Syncing Your Library

In order to back up your citations to the Zotero cloud and sync your library between computers, you'll need to set up Zotero Sync with your Zotero.org account.

To set up Sync:

  • In Zotero, go to the Zotero Preferences menu (Edit > Preferences in Windows, Zotero > Preferences in macOS).
  • Select Sync in the top menu.
  • Enter the username and password for your Zotero.org account. Click Set up Syncing.
  • Ensure that the boxes for Sync Automatically and Sync Full Text Content are checked. This will sync your source data, as well as the text of any PDF or HTML attachments (note: not the files themselves).
  • You may also choose to check both boxes under File Syncing and choose Zotero storage for My Library. This will sync your PDF attachments as well as citations (more info).
  • Click the Sync icon sync icon to initiate a manual sync.

If you use Zotero on more than one computer and want them to stay in sync, repeat this process on each of your computers. Any updates you make on one of your computers will be reflected on the others. This even works to synchronize your library among Windows, Mac and Linux computers. More about Zotero sync

Zotero Guide

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Kyle Denlinger
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Subjects: Counseling, Education