Activate NotebookLM with your Chico State Google Account

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Quick Links: | AI Usage Guidelines for NotebookLM | Accessing and Using NotebookLM | Troubleshooting NotebookLM Issues |

Chico State AI Usage Guidelines for NotebookLM

This service is not approved for inputting, generating, or interacting with any information classified by the Chico State Data Classification Standard as Level 1 (PII) – Confidential data or Level 2 – Internal Use.

Examples of Level 1 (PII) data include (and is not limited to) information that is governed by existing law or statute, such as an individual’s social security number and name, credit card number and cardholder name, or an individual’s driver’s license and name.

Examples of Level 2 – Internal Use data include (and is not limited to) information that is protected because of ethical or privacy concerns, such as grades, test scores, university transcripts, disciplinary actions, student ID photos, or information that is protected by FERPA.

Copyrighted works, including images, messages, or similar content, may not be uploaded to AI services without the copyright owner’s expressed permission.

Refer to Chico State’s AI guidelines for more information.

Accessing and Using NotebookLM

NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and note-taking tool developed by Google Labs. It helps users manage and organize their documents by summarizing content, answering questions, and offering audio overviews. Chico State users have access to the basic version of NotebookLM, which is designed to support academic and creative projects. 

Sign in to NotebookLM

  1. Open a web browser and go to https://notebooklm.google/.
  2. Click Try NotebookLM.
  3. Sign in using your Chico State Google account.
  4. If you are signed into another Google account, click your profile icon and select Add another account, then enter your Chico State credentials.

Create a Notebook and Add Sources

  1. Create a new notebook.
  2. In the Add Sources dialog, choose one or more of the following:
    • Drag and Drop files
    • Choose File from your computer (PDF, DOCX, TXT, audio, and image formats)
    • Import files from Google Drive
    • Add Links and Websites or YouTube videos
    • Paste copied text
    • Use Discover Sources, Fast Research, or Deep Research
  3. Uploaded content appears in the Sources panel.

Use NotebookLM Features

Once your sources are added, you can use NotebookLM to interact with, study, and organize your content in a variety of ways.

Summarize Content

  • Select a source document from the Sources panel.
  • An AI-generated summary will appear in the Chat panel to help you quickly review key points.

Ask Questions About Your Sources

  • Use the text box at the bottom of the Chat panel to ask questions about your uploaded content (for example, “What is the main argument of this paper?”).
  • NotebookLM responds using only the information from your sources.
  • Pin useful responses to easily find them later.

Generate Study Resources Using the Studio Panel

  • The Studio panel allows you to generate a variety of learning and study materials with one click. Many options support over 50 languages and allow customization of focus and length.
  • Audio Overviews: Create Deep Dives, Briefings, Critiques, or Debates. Customize length (short, default, or long).
  • Video Overviews: Generate explainer or briefing videos using different visual styles.
  • Mind Maps: Automatically visualize relationships between key concepts.
  • Reports: Create customizable documents such as study guides, briefing papers, or white papers.
  • Flashcards: Choose difficulty level (easy, medium, hard) and customize focus.
  • Quizzes: Generate quizzes with adjustable difficulty and length.
  • Infographics (Beta): Create visual summaries in landscape, portrait, or square formats with varying levels of detail.
  • Slides (Beta): Generate slide decks such as detailed presentations, presenter decks, or decks with custom instructions.

Save and Organize Notes

  • Click Save to note in the Chat panel to store summaries or responses.
  • Saved notes appear in the Notes panel.
  • Organize notes into formats such as study guides, FAQs, timelines, or briefing documents.

Troubleshooting NotebookLM Issues

  • Login Issues: Confirm you are signed in with your Chico State Google account. If you cannot sign in, attempt to sign in to the Chico State Portal or Reset your Chico State Password. 
  • File Upload Errors: Verify the file format is supported and within size limits.
  • Feature Limitations: Chico State users only have access to the basic version of NotebookLM. Features like higher usage limits and advanced options are only available in NotebookLM Plus, which is not accessible with Chico State accounts.

 Still need help? Visit the NotebookLM Support Page or contact Learning Technology Services.
  
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