This page describes how you may get started with Mendeley. At a minimum, you will need to create an account, but you may want to download some of the additional features that are described on this page as well.
The video below describes how to create a Mendeley account, explains the different versions and optional add-ons in Mendeley, and demonstrates how to access your web library.
You must make a free account on mendeley.com in order to use Mendeley. Doing so will allow you to save articles, reference information, annotations, etc. I recommend signing up with a personal email address so that you will have continued access even after you leave Towson. The "Create an Account" link is located on the top right of the screen on the Mendeley home page.
After you have created an account, you will have full access to the web version of Mendeley, but there are a few additional features you may wish to download.
Mendeley has a web version and a desktop version. When you make an account, you automatically have access the the web version, but you may also want to use the desktop app.
Note: The previous desktop version of Mendeley (creatively called Mendeley Desktop) is no longer available for download as of September 2022. If you were using this version, your library will still be available in the new version, Mendeley Reference Manager.
After you create a Mendeley account, you will immediately have access to the web version of Mendeley Reference Manager. After you log in to Mendeley, you can view the web version of your library by clicking on the “Library” link at the top of the page.
There is also a desktop version of Mendeley Reference Manager. It is almost identical to the web version, but it is a good option for those who work offline frequently or prefer to work in a desktop app compared to a web browser. The desktop version is required if you wish to export your Mendeley library for use in a different reference management tool, such as EndNote or Zotero.
In addition to downloading the desktop and mobile app versions of Mendeley if desired, you may also wish to download the following optional add-ons.
The Web Importer extension will allow you to directly import PDF articles from your web browser into your Mendeley library without needing to save them on your computer first. It is available in Chrome and Firefox.
Mendeley Cite is a plug-in for Microsoft Word and LibreOffice. It allows you to generate in-text citations and reference lists using the resources you have saved in your Mendeley library.
If you use the desktop app version of Mendeley regularly, it is important to get into the habit of syncing your library. Syncing will update your changes to the cloud so that you are able to view them in the web version or the desktop or app version on any device. The web version will automatically sync periodically.
The video below explains how and why you should sync your Mendeley library.
To sync, select on the grey sync icon in the bottom left corner of the black sidebar in your Mendeley library. The icon is two grey arrows that form a circle. If you hover over the sync icon, it will tell you the last time your library was synced.
