Resource Citation Management

A citation manager is any software that helps you collect, organize, and cite the sources you are using for research, class project, or other academic purpose. The Penn Libraries provides campus-wide licenses, assistance, and workshops for the following citation managers:

• Zotero -- web-based and desktop application
  • contact Joanna Thompson and Sam Kirk for assistance by appointment 
• Endnote -- desktop application 
  • contact Judith Currano for assistance by appointment
• Refworks -- web-based 
  • contact Rebecca Stuhr or for assistance by appointment

We do not have a license but we do provide support for Mendeley by appointment.

 Advantages of citation managers: 

1. Keeping all of your citations available and keyword searchable in one place 
2. Keep your pdfs, your, notes, citations together ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​with Zotero and Mendeley
3. Sync across devices 
4. Set up folders that coordinate with your classes, assignments, dissertation chapters. 
5. Mendeley, Zotero, Endnote all have “webclippers,” that allow you to collect citations as you do your research 
   • Zotero’s is pretty reliable
   • Mendeley works most of the time 
   • Refworks easy to learn 
6. Uploading a pdf to the manager should automatically collect the needed information for your citations but be sure to check your citations against the actual documents. Results are not always perfect.
7. Integration with MS Word--a more automated approach to intext citation and bibliographies 
   • Zotero and Refworks do in-text citation and footnotes 
8. Set up to format citations and bibliography to just about any citation style

Check out the Penn Libraries' guides for using these platforms as well as their guide to citation best practices.