What does the Library do?
If you have ever saved papers with the best intentions, only for them to sit untouched in random folders, then I’d recommend giving SciSpace a try. Whether you are managing a project, working on a literature review, or just trying to stay on top of your reading, the Library helps you stay organised and actually use the research you collect. The Library itself works with papers in multiple languages. You are not limited to English, which is ideal if you are working with international research.
You can upload PDFs one by one or in batches. You can also connect your Zotero account and import PDFs to your library. Then you can sort them into Folders based on topics, projects, or whatever makes sense for how you work. Each folder has a Notebook, so you can store your notes, reflections, and summaries alongside the papers they relate to.
Here are some of its other key features:
Literature review/Search Type in a question, such as “What are the barriers to treatment for X?”, and the search looks through every paper in the SciSpace Library. It gives you a summary with citations and direct links to the relevant papers, so you can check the details yourself. If you want longer, more detailed answers with better context, you can switch on High-Quality Mode, which will give you deeper responses.
Text summary and Audio summary (Podcast)
You can generate a written summary for any paper or turn it into an audio version like a podcast, so you can listen while doing something else. This is a simple way to keep up with reading when you are not sitting at your desk or need to give your eyes a break.
Use Copilot to Chat with PDF
After uploading a paper or searching for a paper in the library, you can open any paper and ask questions about the methods, results, limitations, or even something like “What does this diagram mean?”. The tool searches the full text and gives you a direct answer. This saves you from scrolling back and forth trying to find the right section.
You are not limited to one paper at a time using this tool. You can open a folder and ask questions across all the papers inside, or ask a question to your whole library. This is especially useful when you are comparing studies, looking for patterns, or reviewing several papers at once.
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Custom Columns
In addition to asking questions, you can use Custom Columns to build a table of whatever details matter to you. This might include sample sizes, methods, populations, results, or limitations. It saves you from opening every PDF just to check a small detail.
This allows you to extract data into clear sections, including:
- Abstract and Key Findings
- Research Methodology
- Results and Statistical Data
- Citations and References and other sections
You can export the data as CSV, Excel, or BibTeX, or copy it straight into your Notebook, depending on how you prefer to keep track of everything.
Keeping your Library organised
You can always move files between folders if you need to. If a file name is messy, such as “final_final_FINAL_05.pdf”, you can rename it. You can delete papers you no longer need to keep things tidy. Anything you bookmark is saved straight into your library, so you do not lose track of it. Then you can sort everything by Newest, Oldest, A to Z, Z to A, or Date Opened, depending on what helps you stay organised.
Integrations
You can upload PDFs manually or in batches. If you already use a reference manager, you can also sync papers using Import from Zotero, so you do not need to start from scratch.
Shared library
With SciSpace Shared library, you can invite and collaborate with your research team members in real-time. You can create shared libraries, invite members or admins (assigning members with different roles depending on their involvement, and upload, interact, and create a manuscript in one single place. Explore more about it out here.
SciSpace beyond the Library
The Library is one part of SciSpace, which also includes tools for searching papers, generating citations, paraphrasing, and drafting. It handles the admin side of research. This includes organising papers, reviewing literature, and managing citations. These are the tasks that sit between reading and writing but often take the most time. We’ve already discussed some of these on The PhD Place, so be sure to check out our other blog posts if you’re still unsure.
Final thoughts
The Library gives you a way to organise research, get useful answers from your papers, and cut down on the time you spend digging through PDFs. If your current system is a mess of folders, tabs, and PDFs you never quite get round to, this might be the thing that finally makes it manageable.
Like any AI tool, it will not do the thinking for you. It only works when you use it properly. It is there to help you organise, review, and understand research faster. It is not something that replaces critical reading or academic judgement. You are still responsible for checking sources, reading, understanding, and applying your own unique voice and expertise. Try SciSpace library here — https://scispace.com/library
