Researchers using RefWorks to save and manage reference citations and research materials should choose a new platform before Aug.31.

VCU Libraries is retiring RefWorks on Aug. 31, 2018. Users who want to save their materials should go into go their accounts and move materials to another citation management platform. All access to RefWorks will end Aug. 31.

Why the change? When VCU Libraries introduced RefWorks in 2005, it stood out from other citation managers because it was web-based with user accounts stored in what would later be called “the cloud.” Now, other equally good and free or less expensive platforms are available for researchers. VCU Libraries now refers patrons to Mendeley, Zotero or EndNote.  

Librarians have expert knowledge in all three of those platforms and have been assisting VCU researchers in migrating to the new systems for months.   

 To adopt a new tool on your own, refer to these online guides.  

• The Citation Tools guide provides information about Mendeley, Zotero and EndNote to assist users in choosing an alternative tool. Included on the guide is a Citation Management Tools Webinar that demonstrates Zotero and Mendeley. 
• The RefWorks guide provides detailed instructions for exporting references from RefWorks into Mendeley, Zotero or EndNote.

If you need assistance beyond the online guides, contact:

• Erin Carrillo, Science Research Librarian, emcarrillo@vcu.edu, (804) 828-2070 or
• Talicia Taver, Research and Education Librarian, tatarver@vcu.edu, (804) 827-2095

Workshop-style sessions will be scheduled for August. Consult the VCU Libraries calendar. https://www.library.vcu.edu/services/classes-workshops/