Zotero Citation Manager

Zotero Groups let you collaborate with classmates and colleagues by sharing a group library of references, PDFs, and notes. Groups are great for team projects, lab bibliographies, reading groups, and departmental collections.

Group types

• Private: Only invited members can see or join; the group library is hidden from the public.
• Public, Closed Membership: Anyone can view the group page and library online, but only members can join and edit.
• Public, Open Membership: Anyone can find, view, and request to join; members can contribute to the library.

What you can do in a Group

• Collect and organize items in shared collections
• Add notes, tags, and attachments (subject to storage limits)
• Use roles and permissions (owner/admin/member) to manage editing rights
• Sync the group library across members’ devices

When to use Groups

• You’re collaborating on a paper or project and need a single, shared bibliography
• Your lab/department maintains a common reading list or literature database
• A course needs a shared set of sources for students

Learn more on Zotero’s Groups documentation (opens in a new window) .

1. In the Zotero app, click: File ▸ New Library ▸ New Group.

   

2. Zotero will open your browser to zotero.org. Sign in to your account.
    
3. Choose one of the following:
   • Create a New Group: Name your group and choose its visibility — Private, Public with Closed Membership, or Public Open.
   • Search Groups to join an existing group or accept an invitation from a group owner.
      

     

4. From the group settings page, you can invite members by email or Zotero username, assign roles, and adjust editing and viewing permissions.

• Choose clear group names. Use names that make sense to all members (e.g., “HIST 610 Reading Group” or “EMU Library Faculty Research”).
• Set roles and permissions carefully. Owners and admins control membership and permissions; members can add or edit references depending on the settings you choose.
• Use collections and tags consistently. Agree on naming conventions for collections and tags so your shared library stays organized.
• Be mindful of storage limits. Free Zotero accounts include 300 MB of cloud storage. For large PDF collections, consider disabling file syncing or purchasing additional storage.
• Communicate with your group. Let members know expectations for adding, editing, or tagging items. Clear communication prevents duplication and errors.
• Sync regularly. Make sure syncing is turned on in your desktop and mobile apps so changes appear for all group members.

For more guidance, visit Zotero’s Groups documentation (opens in a new window) .

• Your Group Libraries appear in Zotero’s left-hand pane in both the desktop and web versions, listed below My Library.

• Think of each library as a separate filing cabinet. Dragging a reference from one library to another creates a copy, not a link. Changes made in one do not update the other.
   
• You can cite from either My Library or any Group Library when writing papers.
   
• Tip: Double-clicking a group name in Zotero opens that group online at zotero.org.

If you have questions about setting up, using, or citing from groups, please see: