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Faculty Guide to UMass Lowell Library Services

What is Zotero?

""Zotero is a free, open-source reference manager designed to store, organize, share, and cite bibliographic references. It comprises a desktop application, browser connectors, and word processing integration.

Zotero is compatible with most web browsers and can be used to insert citations into documents using:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Google Docs
  • LibreOffice / OpenOffice

You do not need to sign up for an account to use Zotero, but registering will allow you to create shared groups, sync your citations across devices, and access your citations online. Zotero is free to download and use; the only cost is for optional additional online file storage. As of May 2023, the first 300 MB is free.

Why Use a Citation Manager

Citation mangers help you organize your research, share citations, and consistently cite your sources.

Citation managers allow you to

  • Import citations from databases and the web.
  • Organize your citations by category (project, topic, etc.).
  • Sync your resources across different computers.
  • Store, access, and annotate PDFs.
  • Collaborate with others by sharing your citation libraries.
  • Input citations directly into your word processor.
  • Easily switch between various citations styles.
🏃‍♀️ Just need a quick bibliography?
ZoteroBib is a free browser based citation generator created by the team behind Zotero. Create a bibliography within your browser without having to sign up or download software. ZoteroBib exports citations and bibliographies in a wide variety of styles.