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Zotero Basics: Collaborating with Zotero

Last Updated: Sep 6, 2024 2:35 PM

Zotero Online Account

A Zotero online account is required to create collaborative Group Libraries. This account should be synced with your Zotero desktop application to enable remote access to your Zotero Library.

Zotero Web Library

The Zotero Web Library looks similar to the desktop application, but does not offer all the same functionality. For regular work with Zotero on your main computer, the desktop application is recommended. The Web Library is useful for setting up collaborative Group Libraries and for accessing your Zotero Library remotely.

Access the Zotero Web Library:

  1. Go to zotero.org.
  2. Click Log In at the top of the webpage and enter your credentials.
  3. The landing page is your Zotero Web Library.
    1. If your online account is synced with your desktop application, the Web Library will contain the same items as your main library.

Create Collaborative Group Libraries

Zotero Groups allow you to share collections with classmates, lab members, colleagues, and anyone else with a Zotero online account. Group Libraries are separate from your personal Library, so you can also use Zotero groups to keep separate libraries within one Zotero profile.

Create a Zotero Group:

  1. Go to Zotero.org and log in using your account credentials.
  2. At the top of the webpage, click Groups.
  3. Click Create a New Group.
  4. Enter a group name, select your group type, and click Create Group.
  5. Select settings for you new group and click Save Settings.
  6. Your new group will appear in both the Web Library and your Zotero Desktop Application Library.
    1. Items in your group library are distinct from those in your personal library. Move items between libraries by dragging and dropping.
       

Invite collaborators to your Zotero Group:

  1. On the Zotero Groups webpage, click the Manage Members link for the group you want to invite collaborators to join.
  2. Under Member Invitations, click Send More Invitations.
  3. In the box, enter the emails or Zotero user names of users you want to invite.
    1. Multiple users can be invited at once by separating email addresses or Zotero usernames with commas or lines.'
  4. Invitees will be sent an email from Zotero containing a link to join your group.