Using Zotero’s Proxy Feature
Answer
The Zotero browser extension (for Chrome and Firefox) has a feature that can detect when you are accessing a library resource using an institutional proxy and offer to remember it. You may see a yellow banner at the top of your browser stating “Zotero detected that you are accessing search.credoreference.com through a proxy. Would you like to automatically redirect future requests to search.credoreference.com through macalester.edu?”
Once saved, Zotero will automatically redirect you through the library’s login page in the future. This provides easier access to electronic resources when you are working off-campus without a VPN or a direct link through the library's website.
Do I need to turn this on?
It is entirely optional.
How do I allow this feature?
In the yellow banner at the top of your browser, select “Accept” on the top left. When the prompt "Only add proxies linked from your library, school, or corporate website" appears, click “Add Proxy” option on the bottom right.
How do I manage these settings?
If you want to enable or disable proxy redirection:
- Right click the extension icon in your browser toolbar (upper right corner next to URL bar).
- Select Manage Extension on your browser.
- Click the Proxies tab option on the left.
- Toggle the first option box on top to "Enable proxy redirection" on or off.
For more information about Zotero and the other ways it can be utilized, we recommend looking through our Library Research Guide Zotero (Citation Management Tool).
If you have additional questions or are having trouble navigating this feature, please don’t hesitate to contact us.