Zotero Groups (Documentation)

Two Ways:

1. Click on New Library icon, click on dropdown and select New Group.   

2. On the Zotero.org, sign in and click on profile: Groups > Create a New Group

Group Types

Private Groups

• Private groups provide a means of collaboration among group members without creating any public face for the group online.

• Only group members and users invited to join the group are able to see the group’s page.

• Private groups are completely hidden from group searches. They are not shown on members’ public profile pages and will not appear in search engine results.

• If administrators enable file sharing, group members can access and share files in addition to references.

Public, Closed Membership

• Closed-membership groups are useful for creating a controlled group environment with a public presence. This allows a group to publicly present its work and sources, or develop new membership in a controlled fashion.

• Anyone can view the group page, but the only way to join the group is by invitation or by requesting an invitation.

• If the group has a library, administrators can choose to show or hide the library from non-members.

• If administrators enable file sharing, group members can access and share files in addition to references.

Public, Open Membership

• Open public groups are useful for the broadest discussion and collaboration.

• The group page is public, and anyone who wants to can join instantly.

• If the group has a library, administrators can choose to show or hide the library from non-members.

• Open public groups do not allow file sharing.

Library Settings

Group Type The group type (private/public, open/closed) can be changed from this page.

Library Reading (Who can see items in this group's library?):

• Anyone on the internet

• Any group member


Library Editing (Who can add, edit, and remove items from this group's library?):

• Any group member


• Only group admins

File Editing (Who can work with files stored in the group? Public Open groups cannot have file storage enabled.):

• Any group member


• Only group admins

• No group file storage

Currently, you can see who added which items to a group library, by adding the Added by column in the web library.

Follow the, Column "added by" in group library : to know who added what, forum thread for updates on when it will be added to Zotero Standalone.