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Using Reference Management Software

Lunch & Learn: February 2, 2011Brooklyn Law School Library

Karen R. SchneidermanEmerging Technologies Librarian &Adjunct Assistant Professor of Law

karen.schneiderman@brooklaw.edu718.790.7980

Today’s Road Map

• Understanding Reference Management Software (RMS)

• Identifying Legal Reference Management Software

• Comparison of Products• Demonstration of Top Products

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Reference Management Software

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Non - Law Student

So many choices . . .

Endnote & RefWorks Basic Features

• Records, Stores & Utilizes Citations • Creates Self-Selected Citation Database with

Full Text Files • Generating Unlimited Bibliographies,

Footnotes, and Pin Citations• Downloads Bibliographic Information from

Digital Indexes or Full Text Sources

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BLS Law Student

Is there a Reference Management Software Products that supports

Bluebook System of Citations?

RMS with Bluebook Capabilities

• EndNote• Cite It• Citrus• Zotero• Cite Genie

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But …

• EndNote – Offers some support for Bluebook styles– Users voice frustration about errors in the output

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Yeah, But …

• Cite It– Last update in 2003– Can no longer downloadUsers voice frustration

about errors in the output

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Oh, and not…

• Citrus– No law review format – Not Mac or Linux compatible– Not free

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And not …

• Cite Genie– Unable to create self-selected citation database

with full text files – Citation of law reviews and statutes not as

advanced – Not free

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BLS Law Student

Product Details

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Product Latest Version Cost Note

Zotero 2.0.9; (2010-10-13) Free Firefox ExtensionOnly Bluebook law review formatNot by jurisdictionNot Wexis compatible

Test Drive: Zotero

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Zotero: Top Features

• Automatically capture citations • Creates self-selected database with full text

files • Store pdfs, images, and web pages • Cite from within MS Word and OpenOffice • Uses Bluebook citation style• Instantly search your PDFs and notes

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Zotero: Installation

1. Install Firefox Extension2. Add Bluebook Law Review Style3. Set Bluebook as Default Style4. Add Word Processor Plugins

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Step #1: Installation of Zotero

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1. Go to www.zotero.org. 2. Install. 3. Restart Firefox.

Step #2: Add Zotero Bluebook Law Review Style

Step A: • Open zotero• Click Gear icon and choose Preferences.

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Step B: • Choose “Styles” or

“Export” Tab (depends on your Zotero version)

• Click “Get additional styles”

• Find “Bluebook Law Review” in list

• Click “Install.”

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Step #2: Add Zotero Bluebook Law Review Style

Step #3: Zotero: Set Bluebook As Default Style

Step A: Click Gear icon and choose Preferences.

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Step #3: Zotero: Set Bluebook As Default Style

Step B: • Choose Export Tab.• Select “Bluebook

Law• Review” from list.• Click OKs.

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Step #4: Add Word Processor Plugins

www.zotero.org/support/word_processor_integration

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Zotero: Opening (after installation)

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Help Wanted

• Zotero Developers looking for beta-testers – Zotero-legal (Google group): A forum for

discussion and a repository of notes and proposals.

– http://groups.google.com/group/zotero-legal

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“Zotero is no substitute for mastering basic Bluebook citation rules”

~ Victoria Szymczak, Brooklyn Law School Library Director

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http://guides.brooklaw.edu/content.php?pid=60618&sid=445982

Useful Resource

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