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Summary
Google NotebookLM is now available to Michigan State University (MSU) faculty, staff, and students as part of Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals edition.
NotebookLM is AI-powered research and learning assistant that helps users organize, summarize, and analyze content drawn exclusively from their own uploaded materials. Unlike other AI chatbots, NotebookLM works only with the sources you provide—ensuring that summaries, notes, and insights are grounded in verified information.
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Description
NotebookLM is a secure AI tool within MSU’s Google Workspace environment that helps you understand and organize complex information. It works by analyzing only the specific sources you upload, preventing hallucinations from the open internet.
How it works:
- Upload Sources: Import PDFs, Images, Docs, websites, YouTube URLs and copied Text. Google is continually adding new features—see please see Add or discover new sources for your notebook - Computer - NotebookLM Help for the most up-to-date information.
- Generate Content: Create Mind Map, Reports, Flashcards, Quiz, Infographic, Slide Deck, Data Table.
- Go Multimodal: Transform your reading list into engaging Audio Overviews (AI podcasts) or generated videos to consume your research in new ways.
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Data Classification and Acceptable Use
Use of Google NotebookLM must comply with Michigan State University’s data governance and acceptable use standards.
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Common Use Cases
Faculty & Instructors
- Create lecture outlines, quizzes, and review sheets from course materials.
- Generate audio and video summaries to make readings more accessible.
Students
- Consolidate notes and slides into study guides or flashcards.
- Convert heavy reading lists into Audio Overviews to study on the go.
- NotebookLM may be useful for multilingual comprehension and learning.
Researchers & Staff
- Synthesize findings across multiple papers or technical documents.
- Draft abstracts and organize project materials into concise reports.
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Initial Purchase and Ongoing Costs
Google NotebookLM is included at no additional cost for all MSU users through Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals edition. There are currently no separate licenses or departmental billing requirements.
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How to Request Access
NotebookLM is available through MSU’s Google Workspace for Education environment.
To access:
- Go to https://notebooklm.google.com.
- Sign in using your MSU NetID and Google account (@msu.edu).
- Create a new “Notebook” and upload or link source materials.
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How to Request Assistance
For technical support, data governance questions, or assistance using NotebookLM:
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does NotebookLM differ from ChatGPT or Gemini?
Unlike ChatGPT or Gemini, NotebookLM does not access public internet data. It works solely with the materials you provide, making it ideal for verified, source-based research and learning.
What types of files can I upload to NotebookLM?
You can upload PDFs, Images, Docs, websites, YouTube URLs and copied Text. Google is continually adding new features—see Add or discover new sources for your notebook - Computer - NotebookLM Help for the most up-to-date information.
Does NotebookLM store or share my data externally?
No. When logging with MSU credentials, your NotebookLM runs within MSU’s secure Google Workspace for Education environment. Your uploaded content is not used for AI model training or shared outside the institution.
Can I share a Notebook with others?
Yes. You can share Notebooks with other MSU Google users for group study or collaborative projects.
To ensure data security, sharing is currently restricted to users within the MSU organization (you cannot share with personal Gmail accounts or external users).
Are there limits on how many notebooks I can create?
Yes. Currently with NotebookLM, you get 100 notebooks, each with up to 50 sources (up to 500K words each), and daily limits of 50 chat queries, 3 audio generations, 3 video generations, 3 infographics, 3 slide decks, 10 reports, 10 quizzes, and 10 flashcards. These limitations are subject to change. For the most current information, please visit Upgrade NotebookLM - NotebookLM Help
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Related Services / Offerings
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