Citation And Style: Zotero

Zotero is a free* citation manager that will allow you to collect, organize, share, and cite research items. Zotero offers local storage of data on your own computer, online access to your data, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox to ingest bibliographic metadata to ease the collection of citations. This digital tool is best suited for those interested in saving citations for long-term research. 

*While download and use of the software is free, data storage is separate. Users can store up to 300 MB for free. Annual plans are available for additional storage space.

ZoteroBib (a separate tool) will help you create a quick bibliography through manually entering items or ingesting metadata from library catalogs, newspapers, magazines, ISBNs, DOIs, and more. ZoteroBib generates citations in a browser that can be pasted into a research paper in an array of citation styles including MLA, APA, and Chicago. This digital tool is better suited for short-term research and/or assignment needs.

Directions for creating a Zotero 5.0 account:

• Begin by registering for an online account: https://www.zotero.org/user/register
• Next, download a local version of Zotero to your personal computer: https://www.zotero.org/download/

• Press the Download button for Windows. If you have a Mac, click below where it says "Other platforms" and select macOS.
• Next, open the Zotero library that was downloaded to your computer. On the top right side, look for the green arrow icon for syncing Zotero online accounts with the local, downloaded copy:

• Enter the information from your online account here:

• Press Set Up Syncing to finish the process.

Help with Zotero is available by appointment with a Fordham Library Liaison. Email one of the liaisons listed  to schedule a consultation.

To add a browser connector so that you can click to save research items you find online, go to to Tools > Install Browser Connector > and follow the prompts.

Zotero provides plugins that will allow you to cite from your Zotero database as you write your paper. "Cite while you write" features are offered with the following word processing tools:

• Using the Zotero Word Plugin
• Using Zotero with Google Docs
• Using the Zotero LibreOffice Plugin