Zotero Connector allows you to save e-books, articles and websites directly to your library. Simply the source you want to store, click on the Zotero extension*, choose the collection you want to add it to and click on done. Now it has been added to your library. If it is a webpage you are saving, Zotero will automatically save the date on which you accessed it, and automatically add this date when you reference the source in your work.

An easy way to add sources to your library is by clicking on the wand icon and filling in the ISBN or DOI of the source. You can do the same with a PMID (PubMed IDentifier), arXiv, ID or ADS bibcode.

To add sources manually, click on the green plus button and choose the type of source you want to add. Fill in the necessary information in the right-hand pane. Make sure to be as thorough as possible. Empty fields can lead to errors in your citations.

Many databases offer the possibility to download BibTeX and RIS files. These are files that store all bibliographical information that you need to save a reference to Zotero.

When you find a source in the  Leiden University Libraries catalogue, click on Export BIBTEX or Export RIS. It does not matter which encoding you choose. Download the file. To import the file into Zotero, select File -> Import -> A File (BibTex, RIS, Zotero, RDF, etc.). Now choose the right file in your explorer.

If you want your file to be added to a new collection, make sure the check mark next to Place imported collections and items into new collection is still there. This will add a new collection (similar to a folder) to your library with the title of your RIS or BibTex file. If you remove this check mark your reference will be added to the general library. Next, make sure that you choose Copy files to Zotero storage folder. Finally, click on next to import the reference.

To make citations you make use of the Zotero plugin. The Zotero citation plugin is included with your Zotero download. If this is not the case, go to Preferences ->  Cite ->  Word Processors and select the plugin you would like to (re)install.

Zotero has many citation styles available and it is very easy to replace one style with another. You can set up your preferred style in your Zotero application, via Edit -> Preferences -> Cite. This applies your style of choice to every document. You can always select another style in the document while you are working in it, via Zotero -> Document Preferences. This button also allows you to edit styles and get style previews. Upon selecting a different style for your document, all references will automatically be updated.

To add a citation while writing, simply click Add/ Edit Citation and select the right source to add a citation.

To include a page number in your citation, select the citation and click Add/Edit Citation.

To create a bibliography simply click on Add/ Edit Bibliography to generate a list of sources you cited. The bibliography will automatically update when you add or edit references.

To set your Zotero preferences, navigate to Edit -> Preferences. Under General you can choose whether you want Zotero to automatically add metadata to your PDFs or download PDFs automatically. Under Sync you can choose how often your library has to be synced and with which account. Under Advanced you can decide where your library is stored and decide on shortcuts. Under Cite you can add your preferred citation style and choose whether URLS of printed articles have to be included in your references.

If you want to collaborate with others in Zotero, you can create a group library. To create a new group library, go to 'file' and select 'new group'. You will then be redirected to the web version of Zotero. Here you can invite people to make use of the group library. You have the option to choose between a private and a public group. Only those who already have a Zotero account can join a private group. You can find more information on public groups on Zotero's support page.

Tip: be aware that a group library exists seperately from your personal library. Sources that you save in a group library are not visible in your personal library. Therefore, make sure to copy items from a group library to your personal one so that you can access them even after the collaboration is finished. 

Once you have added some references to your library you can add extra information to them:

Annotate

You can add notes to your references using the Notes option. Additionally, you can highlight and annotate your PDFs. 

It is possible to create notes from these highlighted parts. To do so, open the PDF by double clicking on the entry and click on the notepad symbol in the upper right corner.  Click the grey plus icon and choose Add Note from Annotations. All highlighted parts will now be shown in one note. However, be aware that if you add new highlights, these will not automatically be included in the note. You will have to make a new note, in which you will again find all the highlighted parts.

Tags

Tag your articles for easier navigation.

Related

Connect related sources here. You decided in what way you want to relate them. Perhaps by subject, but creating a relation between every source you want to make use of in a specific section of a paper can also be very useful!

You can add references in bulk by downloading a collection of BiBTeX or RIS files. To do this through the University Library Catalogue, add all the sources you want to save to your Zotero library to your favourites. Check the mark of all of the sources you want to add, then click on the three dots on top and select 'Export all as a BibTex or RIS'.