# Zotero

**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/zotero/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/support/disability/resources/

Zotero is an open-source reference management tool. You can use it to store bibliographic information and citations. It has three components:

- **Zotero Desktop** is advanced reference management software, with a citation plugin for Microsoft Word and LibreOffice.
- **Zotero Web** lets you manage your reference library online and collaborate with researchers.
- **Zotero Connector** is a browser extension that collects references from online sources and stores them in your library. You can also add citations from your library to Google Docs.

Once you have registered to use Zotero, you can access your Zotero library from any computer with an internet connection. For full functionality, we recommend installing **Zotero Desktop** and **Zotero Connector**.

## Key features

- Collect and organise references from online resources (including some PDFs).
- Access your citations anywhere by syncing your web and desktop libraries.
- Insert in-text citations and reference lists in Google Docs, Microsoft Word and LibreOffice.
- Create group libraries to share with other Zotero users.
- Read and annotate PDFs and ePUBs attached to a reference.

## Access instructions

[Open Zotero Web](https://www.zotero.org/)

To use this service, you need to [register an account](https://www.zotero.org/user/register) (you don't need to use your University email address).

- Zotero Desktop and the Microsoft Word plugin are installed in our [computer labs](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/computers-printing-equipment/computer-labs/).
- For other University managed devices running Windows, you can install Zotero from the [Software Center](https://support.york.ac.uk/s/article/Installing-software-on-managed-PCs)\*.
- For other devices, [download software from Zotero](https://www.zotero.org/download/)\*.

 \*You can access your Zotero Web Library from any computer with an internet connection. For full functionality, we recommend installing Zotero Desktop and Zotero Connector.

## Related tools

- [EndNote](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/endnote/)
- [Paperpile](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/paperpile/)
- [More studying tools](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/studying/)

Available to staff and students

You can use this service on University-managed and personal devices.

App and web-based

Compatible with Windows and Mac. This service also works in your web browser.

Free to use

This service is free to use.

## Additional information

Using Zotero after leaving the University

As Zotero is a free, open source application, you can continue to use Zotero after you leave the University. If you use a University of York email address to sign up for Zotero, you will need to change this to a different email address once you leave. To do this, log into your Zotero account and add another email address, then make that one your primary email address.

## Access instructions

[Open Zotero Web](https://www.zotero.org/)

To use this service, you need to [register an account](https://www.zotero.org/user/register) (you don't need to use your University email address).

- Zotero Desktop and the Microsoft Word plugin are installed in our [computer labs](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/computers-printing-equipment/computer-labs/).
- For other University managed devices running Windows, you can install Zotero from the [Software Center](https://support.york.ac.uk/s/article/Installing-software-on-managed-PCs)\*.
- For other devices, [download software from Zotero](https://www.zotero.org/download/)\*.

 \*You can access your Zotero Web Library from any computer with an internet connection. For full functionality, we recommend installing Zotero Desktop and Zotero Connector.

## Related tools

- [EndNote](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/endnote/)
- [Paperpile](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/paperpile/)
- [More studying tools](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/studying/)

## Guides and help

### How-to guides and set up

- [How to sync your Zotero Desktop library across any device](https://support.york.ac.uk/s/article/Zotero-Sync-your-library)
- [Search Zotero help guides](https://www.zotero.org/support/) (zotero.org)
- [More software and apps and how to obtain them](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/tools/software/)

### Training and best practice

- Our [Reference Management Practical Guide](https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/reference-management) has guidance on using the features of Zotero and the other three supported reference management applications, as well as the general principles of reference management and how to choose the right tool for you.
- Attend a [Digital Skills Training session](https://subjectguides.york.ac.uk/skills/training) on reference management. These sessions run every semester.

## Contact for support

For general support and advice, please [contact IT Services](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/contact/). For more specialist advice and technical support, please [contact Zotero](https://www.zotero.org/support/).

## Service commitments

Your responsibilities and policies

The following policies apply to all IT services provided by the University.

- [Information policy](https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/policies/information-policy/info-policy-and-you/)
- [Using University information](https://www.york.ac.uk/about/organisation/governance-documents/ordinances-regulations/regulation-11/)
- [Safe use of information on devices](https://www.york.ac.uk/staff/policies/information-policy/index/safe-use-of-information-on-devices/)

Service performance

### Availability

- This is a live service, available 24/7.

### Support

- This service is managed by a third party.
- They are responsible for monitoring, identifying and fixing faults. We provide advice and support for local issues during our [opening hours](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/contact/).
- Support is available at [Zotero Support](https://www.zotero.org/support/getting_help).

### Standards

- Our service performance and standards have been produced in consultation with our customers. We regularly monitor the delivery, performance and availability of facilities and services.

Feedback and complaints

We appreciate feedback as it helps us review and continually improve our service.

- [How to give feedback](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/contact/feedback)
- [Complaints procedure](https://www.york.ac.uk/it-services/about/policies/complaints/)

Page last reviewed: 23 December 2025