What is a syllabus?
In this plugin, a syllabus is an ordinary Zotero collection plus structured plugin data (stored in a note titled Syllabus document - your collection name) that groups items into classes (or weeks / sessions), with priorities, instructions, done state, and optional reading dates.
You still use Zotero as usual: items live in your library; the collection membership does not change when you assign a class. Syllabus view is another way to look at and edit that structure.
Syllabus vs Gallery
Section titled “Syllabus vs Gallery”Same collection, two toolbar views:
| Syllabus | Gallery | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A course (weeks / sessions) | A personal reading list |
| Needs Turn into Syllabus? | Yes | No |
| Organizes by | Classes, priorities, instructions | Covers, your reading order, optional description |
You can use both on one collection (switch in the toolbar), or only Gallery if you never need classes. See Gallery and Personal reading order.
Surfaces that use syllabus data
Section titled “Surfaces that use syllabus data”- Syllabus tab — edit classes and assignments
- Reading Schedule — classes that have reading dates
- Gallery — can sort/group by class on syllabus collections (Home collection shelves)
- Table column Syllabus Class / Assignment
- Print / publish — exports the structured list
What a syllabus is not
Section titled “What a syllabus is not”- Not a separate Zotero library or group type
- Not the same as Gallery (reading-list browse without classes)
- Not the same as pinning or Home shelves
- Not automatically shared with collaborators unless you share the library / group or publish
Creating one
Section titled “Creating one”Select a collection → Turn into Syllabus. You can reverse course by removing syllabus structure from Settings if you no longer need it (items stay in the collection).