# The Sheridan Libraries

**Source**: https://ask.library.jhu.edu/dclibrary/faq/396508
**Parent**: https://guides.library.jhu.edu/key

# Ask A Librarian: DC Library

Search

Ask

$(function() { searchform\_117181 = springSpace.la.initFaqSearchForm({ contentId: 117181, iid: 232, apiDomain: 'ask.library.jhu.edu', groupId: [11650], limit: 10 }); });

## Citation Help

## Answer

The JH Libraries have numerous resources to help create and/or store citations, organize your research, build bibliographies and footnotes, avoid plagiarism, and more. Your professors will tell you if they prefer a particular citation style. See the [Citing Sources Guide](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/citing/citationtools) for various options.

**Citation Managers**\
A citation or reference “manager” is a tool that helps you store and organize citations, create bibliographies with just a few clicks, add citations to your documents, and change citation style as needed.

[RefWorks](https://refworks.proquest.com/login/) is a web-based product provided by Johns Hopkins to all current affiliates and accessible to you after you graduate. From [RefWorks](https://refworks.proquest.com/login/), choose “login from my institution.” First time users must provide a Johns Hopkins email address and fill out a short form. For subsequent logins, choosing “login from my institution” will lead you to the familiar JHED login screen. See the library's [RefWorks Guide](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/RefWorks) for more information.

[Zotero](https://www.zotero.org/) is a free "open source" citation manager. For Zotero help, including a link to download the product, see their [Quick Start Guide](https://www.zotero.org/support/quick_start_guide), as well a how-to guide from [Oregon State](https://guides.library.oregonstate.edu/zotero). This 6-minute [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq7V2X5x2Pkf0epGwj8UXE%3D&reserved=0) is a good "first look" at how Zotero works. Note that Zotero also has features for highlighting / annotating PDFs. For more information, click on the Zotero tab on this page: [Citation Managers](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/citing/citationtools).

**Style Manuals** \
An alternative to using citation managers is to learn the basics of a particular style.

**Chicago Manual of Style** citations come in two varieties: (1) author-date and (2) notes and bibliography. The latter is particularly useful if you plan to use footnotes in your paper. [The Chicago Quick Guide](https://www-chicagomanualofstyle-org.proxy1.library.jhu.edu/tools_citationguide.html) gives sample citations for various type of resources. [[more details](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/citing/chicago)]

**APA** is a widely-used style sourced from the American Psychological Association. [Academic Writer](http://databases.library.jhu.edu/databases/proxy/JHU07034) is APA's online version of its style guide. [[more details](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/citing/apa)]\
\
**MLA** (Modern Language Association)'s online [MLA Handbook Plus](https://mlahandbookplus.org/books/book/5/chapter/58456/Citation-Examples-Appendix-2) is for the 9th edition (2021). [[more details](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/citing/mla)]

**Avoiding Plagiarism Course**\
Plagiarism is defined as taking for your own use the words, ideas, concepts or data of someone else without giving proper credit. Students are encouraged to take the self-paced [Avoiding Plagiarism Course](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/avoidingplagiarism/course), on MyLearning, to learn the basics of avoiding plagiarism during your academic career and beyond. For more information, see the Sheridan Libraries’ [Avoiding Plagiarism guide](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/avoidingplagiarism) and your program's link on the [Academic Integrity Policies page](https://provost.jhu.edu/education/graduate-and-professional-education-resources/academic-integrity-policies/).

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Have a question about citing sources or citation styles? See the [Citing Sources Guide](https://guides.library.jhu.edu/citing) or contact a librarian from Sheridan's [Eisenhower Library](mailto:asklib@jhu.edu) in Baltimore or the [Frary Library](mailto:librarydc@jh.edu) at the D.C. campus.

- Last Updated Sep 25, 2025
- Views 906
- Answered By Stephen Sears

---

## FAQ Actions

Was this helpful?

Yes
1

No
1

- [Print](#)
- [Tweet](#)
- [Share on Facebook](#)

## Comments (0)

[Add a public comment to this FAQ Entry](/faq/396508/comment)

## Contact Us

[ask@jhu.libanswers.com](mailto:ask@jhu.libanswers.com)

[ask@jhu.libanswers.com](mailto:ask@jhu.libanswers.com)

[Text us: 410-692-8874](sms:+14106928874)

[Text us: 410-692-8874](sms:+14106928874)

Powered by [Springshare](https://springshare.com); All rights reserved.