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Zotero

Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free, easy-to-use tool that helps you collect, manage, cite, and share your research sources

Overview

Zotero [zoh-TAIR-oh] is a free, easy-to-use tool that helps you collect, manage, cite, and share your research sources. Zotero automatically senses content in your web browser, allowing you to add it to your personal library with a single click. You can add PDFs, images, audio and video files, or snapshots of web pages.

Use Zotero to:

  • organize your personal research library
  • share references with other researchers
  • cite resources from your library and easily change citation styles
  • generate bibliographies automatically with Word or OpenOffice
  • synchronize your research library across multiple devices

Just need a quick citation or works cited list? Try Zoterobib.

Zotero provides 300 MB of free storage. Penn State does not have a subscription to institutional access for unlimited Zotero storage. For additional storage you may consult your lab or department about subscribing to Zotero Lab storage.

Get Started

Sync across multiple devices

In order to access your Zotero library from multiple devices, you will first need to create a free Zotero account.

Then, enter your login information in the Zotero Sync Server section.

  • In your Zotero desktop client click Edit in the menu bar
  • Select Settings
  • Click Sync and enter your log in information
  • If you don't want Zotero to automatically sync your data, disable automatic syncing by unchecking the “Sync automatically” checkbox