Google NotebookLM

Google NotebookLM is a research-focused AI tool developed by Google that acts like a personalized agent or chatbot. Unlike general chatbots, NotebookLM is designed to search only a personalized, curated set of information. Users can upload or link data such as documents, PDFs, Google Docs, websites, and videos to build a custom knowledge base.

In addition to interacting with the uploaded data, users can create study guides, summaries, mindmaps, FAQs, and podcasts to assist in learning. Google NotebookLM is available at notebooklm.google.com.

Step 1: Access NotebookLM and Create a Notebook

1. Go to notebooklm.google.com

2. Sign In with your Lehigh Account.

3. On the main screen, click the "+ Create New Notebook" button. Give your notebook a descriptive name related to your project (e.g., "Q3 Marketing Report Analysis," "History of Rome Study Guide," or "Vacation Planning")

Open

Step 2: Add Your Sources

Give the AI the information you want it to summarize and reformat.

1. Locate the "Sources" Area on the left-hand side labeled "Sources."

2. Click "Add Source": Click the button to add your materials.

3. Choose Your Source Type: You have several options:

   • Google Drive: Connect to your Google Docs or Slides.

   • PDF: Upload PDF files directly from your computer.

   • Copy Text: Copy text from any document or website and paste it directly into a new text source.

   • Website URL: Input a URL, and NotebookLM will import the text content from that webpage.

You can add multiple sources to a single notebook (up to 50 per notebook using a basic Lehigh account). For example, you could add a PDF essay, a Google Doc with your lecture notes, and a few web articles on a specific topic.

Open

Step 3: Ask Questions and Interact with the AI

At the bottom of the screen, you'll find a chat box called “start typing”.

1. Ask a Question: Type a question directly related to your documents. The more specific you are, the better the answer will be.

   • Bad question: "What's this about?"

   • Good question: "Summarize the key arguments from the 'Climate Change Impact' PDF."

   • Excellent question: "Compare the proposed solutions in the 'Project Proposal' doc with the budget limitations mentioned in the 'Financials' PDF."

2. Try Different Commands:

   • Summarize: "Give me a 5-bullet point summary of my lecture notes."

   • Find Specifics: "What date is the project deadline mentioned in the meeting minutes?"

   • Generate Ideas: "Create a study guide with key terms and questions based on all sources."

   • Transform Content: "Turn my rough notes into a formal email draft to the team."

   • Create a Timeline: "Create a timeline of events described in the 'History of ARPANET' document."

Step 4: Use the Citations

Every answer given is directly linked to your source material.

1. Look for Numbers: As the AI generates a response, you will see small, blue numbers like [1], [2] next to its statements. These are citations.

2. Click a Citation: Clicking on a number will show you the exact quote or passage from your source document that was used to generate that part of the answer.

3. Verify Information: This allows you to fact-check the AI's response and find the original context.

Step 5: Save and Organize Your Insights

When the AI gives you a good answer, make sure you don't lose it in the chat history.

1. Pin the Response: Hover over the AI's answer. You will see a pin icon (📌).

2. Save to Notes: Clicking the pin will save that specific AI response, along with its citations, to your "Notes" area on the right side of the screen.

3. Organize: Think of the "Notes" section as your digital scratchpad or the final outline for your project. You can drag and drop your saved notes to reorder them, add your own thoughts, and build a complete document inside NotebookLM.