Web pages & Zotero
Two ways to add Web pages to Zotero:
1. Links
Attach a link to an item, and Zotero stores only the page title, URL, and access date. To view the content, use the link to return to the site. Use this method when there is little chance of a Web page changing or disappearing. This method has the benefit of using negligible Zotero storage space.
2. Snapshots
Save a snapshot, a copy of the page as it currently exists. Example:
Snapshots are a single web page (not a site), and include all the links and images on the page. Snapshots use a lot of Zotero storage space.
Best Practices
Prevent Zotero from automatically taking unnecessary snapshots of Web pages by unchecking the box in Preferences --> General-- "Automatically take snapshots when creating items from web pages." Monitor your Zotero library for snapshots databases may have attached to citations that are unnecessary.
When applicable, choose to intentionally take a snapshot of a specific Web page with a right-click/command-click on the Zotero browser connector and "Save to Zotero (Web page with snapshot)"
Perma can make Zotero Snapshots unnecessary
Taking a snapshot and storing it in Zotero might not be necessary. Perma is a service that makes an archival copy of a Web page and houses it in the Internet Archive.
Further, Perma provides a new public URL that can be added to your Zotero item and cited in publications, thus ensuring readers of your work access to the content of the Web page into the future.
Perma is free to Cornellians but requires registration.
The new Perma Chrome browser plugin makes saving a web page to Perma fast and easy.