Zotero is an open source citation manager. You can download the Zotero program and the browser plug-in at the link below, and create an account and sign in to sync your "library" across devices.
Zotero allows you to attach PDFs, notes and images to your citations, organize them into collections for different projects, share them in "group libraries," and create in-text citations and bibliographies.
NOTE: Zotero is hosted on a US server and does not comply with BC's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) which requires that the mandated use of systems located outside of Canada must be with prior written consent if the user has to provide personal information.
The following two links are for tutorials created by TRU Librarians on using Zotero. They will walk you through setting up and using many of Zotero's features.
The below downloads are materials from library workshops about Zotero and citation management. The PowerPoint slides provide step-by-step instructions for all key Zotero tasks and are a great resource for any stage of your Zotero journey.
The gallery slides at the bottom of this page are snippets from the PowerPoint if you need a quick refresher of how to get started, add resources, or cite with Zotero.
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) allows you to access online library resources—such as journal articles and research databases—even when off-campus. This is made possible through a proxy service, which connects you to the library system as if you were on campus.
Citation managers like Zotero and Mendeley simplify this process. Their browser extensions can automatically detect and use TRU’s OpenAthens proxy. Once you access a resource through the proxy, your citation manager will remember it and continue using the proxy for future visits to that site.
If you're using Zotero, the Zotero Connector browser extension handles proxy settings automatically—no manual setup required. However, if you're having trouble accessing resources or want to adjust how the proxy feature works, you can do so in the Connector’s settings.
If Zotero isn’t saving items correctly when using OpenAthens, try these steps:
Read more in the Zotero Connector guide and support documentation.
The Mendeley Web Importer is a browser extension that allows you to quickly save references and full-text PDFs to your Mendeley library. The tool has recently been redesigned and now requires cookie access to function properly. Unlike Zotero, Mendeley has more limited access to settings, so troubleshooting may differ slightly.
Read more in the Web Importer guide and support documentation.
If it’s still not working, let us know! We are happy to help!
