Zotero

Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free, open-source citation management software that uses a web browser extension to save screenshots, full-text PDFs, and citation information from websites, databases, library catalogs, and other search tools with a single click. Zotero provides robust sharing features, allowing classes to create and annotate shared reading lists and teams to collaboratively develop libraries.

With Zotero, you can:

• Save citation information, screenshots, and available full-text
• Access your library online and sync to multiple devices
• Use folders and tags to organize your research
• Create group libraries for collaborative projects
• Generate citations and bibliographies in Word, Google Docs and LibreOffice

Zotero was developed the non-profit Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. Learn more about CHNM at https://rrchnm.org/.

Downloading Zotero

Zotero consists of two elements that work together to download and manage references and attachments (including screenshots and PDFs):

1. Zotero, which is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, stores and organizes references, and communicates with word processors to insert citations and bibliographies.
2. Zotero Connector, a browser extension--available for Firefox, Safari, and Chrome--that detects citation information from research databases, library catalogs, newspaper websites, etc. and downloads this information to Zotero alongside a screenshot and any linked files.

Download Zotero and the Zotero Connector

Registering for a Zotero account.

Zotero can be used without an account, However, creating a free Zotero account allows you to sync your library across multiple devices, access your library online, and create shared group libraries. Create an account here.

Using Zotero is generally intuitive, but there can be a learning curve for those using some of the software's advanced features. Fortunately, there are a number of resources for learning the ins and outs of using Zotero:

• Zotero maintains excellent documentation, including a Frequently Asked Questions, a Knowledge Base, and a Quick Start Guide.
• Zotero has a robust community of users who use the Zotero Forums to troubleshoot one another's software and citation issues.