How to share entire library with a group?

AdeleEff
edited today at 6:30pm
Hello -- I have added a group library. My Zotero desktop setting are set to automatic sync, with My Library and the group library selected to sync.

I also manually synced both My Library and the group library but the members of the group library still cannot see My Library contents.

My view of the group library:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u5740425/z8pqxgol1oxwoq0qzf8v.png

  • tnajdek Zotero Team
    Since you’ve confirmed that the data is not present in the web library, the problem is on the device where the data originated. Follow the debug steps listed at https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/changes_not_syncing
  • AdeleEff
    edited yesterday at 7:36pm
    The data is present in my web Zotero and in desktop Zotero on all my devices and everything syncs properly, but the group library is not populated.

    https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u5740425/p4rl01nn4zuru7gnwcra.png

    Which debug process is applicable?
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    edited yesterday at 7:41pm
    If you need to redact data in a screenshot, send an unredacted version to support@zotero.org with a link to this thread.

    You showed the same screenshot above with an empty library, and the library named in your original screenshot — the only group you're currently a member of — has no data online. So I'm not really sure what you're looking at. Possible you're looking at a different group library from some other account.

    You also showed an empty library in https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/comment/510369/#Comment_510369 an hour ago, so I'm not sure why you're saying "The data is present in my web Zotero and in desktop Zotero on all my devices."

    In general, we really just need the info requested in Changes Not Syncing to be able to help you. If you're seeing data on all devices, you're not experiencing a problem, and someone actually experiencing the problem would have to follow the instructions. But this mostly just seems like some username mix up.
  • warguelles
    @dstillman Sorry for posting in this thread, but she/he has made some comments:
    I have shared my Zotero library with a group.

    ...but the members of the group library still cannot see My Library contents.

    How do I move the content into the group library if not by syncing?
    and I ask myself if she/he thinks that syncing the content of her/his personal Library will move its content into the group Library.

    @AdelleEff did you drag and drop any items of your Library to the group Library before syncing? You have to copy (by drag and drop for example) some items in the group to be synced to the web!
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    edited yesterday at 8:45pm
    Oh, I thought that was it, but then I mistook the background of the collection name redaction as row selection. But now I see that My Library is selected.

    So then yes, @AdelleEff, as I said in the other thread, it’s just an empty library, and if you want any data in it, you need to add that data to it. You can create any number of group libraries for any purpose. Those don’t have any inherent link to your personal library unless you drag data over.

    (Thanks @warguelles for catching that.)
  • warguelles
    edited yesterday at 8:51pm
    @AdelleEff you can also add any item to a group Library directly from your browser without going through your personal Library.

    @dstillman I'm happy to help!
  • AdeleEff
    The drag-and-drop operation was the piece I was missing. I did think sync would populate the group library.

    It appears that one needs to drag one folder at a time in to the root of the group library, and that this works only in the desktop version, not in web Zotero.

    Does dragging and dropping this content into the group library create aliases to my own Zotero folders, and that the group folders will update when I add items to those base folders in my personal Zotero?

    Will the group folders also be accessible to the group in their web Zotero accounts?
  • warguelles
    I did think sync would populate the group library.
    No, they are different libraries, and each Library syncs with itself on the cloud. As @dstillman said you can create any number of group libraries, and ALL they will be independent.
    It appears that one needs to drag one folder at a time in to the root of the group library, and that this works only in the desktop version, not in web Zotero.
    It seems you want to create a "mirror" group of your "My Library". Group Libraries are NOT designed to do it. Please read and understand what I explain below about groups.
    Does dragging and dropping this content into the group library create aliases to my own Zotero folders, and that the group folders will update when I add items to those base folders in my personal Zotero?
    No, they all will be independent Libraries: "My Library", which is your PERSONAL one, and group Libraries, where you can share with some people some content. Be aware that groups are not designed for sharing "My Library", BUT rather for collaborating with colleagues, students, etc., each one for a specific purpose.

    I also encourage you to read up on and understand what Collections are. They aren't like folders in an operating system: an item can be in more than one Collection, and there may be items that don't belong to anyone.

    See: https://www.zotero.org/support/collections_and_tags
    Will the group folders also be accessible to the group in their web Zotero accounts?
    Yes, all collections (not folders) in a group Library will be accessible to all members, and, depending on the member settings you define to each person and the group Library type, one member can even add or delete items, create or delete collections, etc. on that group.

    See: https://www.zotero.org/support/groups
  • AdeleEff
    Well, you can see why I didn't see a way to use debug, it's not relevant to my situation.

    Yes, I know an item can be in more than one collection.

    So the group folders are not a view into my personal Zotero library -- the system has made copies of the entries that will not update if I change them in my personal Zotero? The group library is static, unless the members add their own entries?

    Suppose I wanted to share my entire Zotero library and permit dynamic updating of items by all members of a group. How would I do that?

  • warguelles
    Please, read the support information I pointed out about groups.
    Suppose I wanted to share my entire Zotero library and permit dynamic updating of items by all members of a group. How would I do that?
    Each member of the group Library -including you as owner- can sync the group Library to update the changes with the online Library, if they are working with the zotero app on their personal devices. Of course, each member must sync to have the lastest version of the group. Remember that sync is a bidirectional operation.

    If they work directly on the online version of the Library -I mean on the Zotero cloud-, no sync is necessary.
  • AdeleEff
    Thank you for the excellent information provided in this thread. Perhaps these practical utilization tips might be added to https://www.zotero.org/support/groups

    For my use case, it appears that I can advise my colleagues to use the Zotero Web interface only. As an online reference, this will help them immensely, and they don't have to download an app.

    (I am a little surprised that dragging and dropping files into the group library creates actual copies, not aliases.)

    As debug turned out not to be applicable to my situation, I changed the title of this thread.
  • AdeleEff
    Do I understand this correctly: If my group members use the Zotero web interface, they will not have to install the desktop app or sync with anything?

    On the Web, what changes can they make to the group library? (I presently have group file storage turned off.) Library Editing is limited to admins.
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