NotebookLM can summarize, analyze, and synthesize information, but users remain fully responsible for the data they provide, the outputs they rely on, and any decisions or actions taken based on those outputs. NotebookLM works from your sources, making it particularly well suited for research, study, policy analysis, and knowledge management.
It excels when accuracy, traceability, and source fidelity matter more than creative ideation.
NotebookLM can be accessed at https://www.siena.edu/notebooklm or https://notebooklm.google.com (You must signed in with your Siena account which occurs automatically if you are already signed into your Siena Gmail)
NotebookLM does not invent facts or speculate beyond your uploaded materials. It analyzes, cross-references, and interpolates information strictly from your sources. If your goal is to extract accurate insights, identify patterns, or validate conclusions, NotebookLM is an excellent choice.
Information lives in many formats. NotebookLM can work across documents, slide decks, PDFs, websites, audio, and video transcripts. By collating and cross-referencing these materials in a single notebook, it provides a unified research environment even when your sources are fragmented.
Important insights are often buried across long or disjointed documents. NotebookLM scans your entire source set and distills salient points into clear summaries, study guides, and structured outputs — saving significant time while preserving context.
Use it wisely. Check your work. Stay in control.
Users remain accountable for decisions, interpretations, and outcomes derived from NotebookLM. AI-generated outputs should never replace professional judgment, academic integrity, or required approvals.
A single notebook can handle up to approximately 25 million words. While limited to 50 sources, thoughtful file consolidation can extend this capacity.
The quality of NotebookLM’s output is directly tied to the quality of your inputs. Reliable, well-structured sources produce the best results.
Chat outputs are not saved automatically. Be sure to save important responses as notes.
When using Google Docs or Slides, resync files to ensure NotebookLM reflects the most current version of your materials.
NotebookLM prioritizes factual accuracy over creative expression. For polished or creative final outputs, consider exporting NotebookLM’s grounded analysis into a more generative AI tool.
A single notebook can handle up to approximately 25 million words. While limited to 50 sources, thoughtful file consolidation can extend this capacity.
The quality of NotebookLM’s output is directly tied to the quality of your inputs. Reliable, well-structured sources produce the best results.
Chat outputs are not saved automatically. Be sure to save important responses as notes.
When using Google Docs or Slides, resync files to ensure NotebookLM reflects the most current version of your materials.
Data Classification and Privacy Requirements
NotebookLM, when used with a Siena Google Workspace for Education account, is a core service with strong data privacy protections. Uploaded documents, queries, and AI responses remain private to the user, are not reviewed by humans, and are not used to train Google's AI models.
Important Note: It is imperative to understand that other public or non-approved AI tools may only be used with non-sensitive, de-identified, or publicly available information. Users must never input student records, grades, personally identifiable information (PII), human resources data, regulated research data, or other non-public institutional information into non-authorized or non-contracted AI systems.
Sources are the foundation of NotebookLM. All responses are derived exclusively from the materials you provide.
You can add sources by:
Uploading files from your computer or Google Drive
Supported formats include Google Docs, Google Slides, PDFs, .txt, Markdown, MP3, and other audio/video files
Linking to public YouTube videos
Only the text transcript is used; the video must be publicly accessible
Linking to websites
Pasting your own notes or reference text
Name your notebook early
Add a descriptive title using the text at the top left next to the NotebookLM logo. This helps keep your dashboard organized and avoids accumulating multiple untitled notebooks.
Adjust notebook settings
Confirm preferences such as:
Output language
Dark or light mode
Optimize your workspace
Collapse or expand the Studio and Sources panels to maximize your working area and focus on the task at hand.
You can manage and interact with sources in several ways:
Add new sources at any time
Discover new sources by describing your topic, or use “I’m feeling curious” to explore related materials
Toggle individual sources on or off to control which materials inform responses
Rename or remove sources as needed
Monitor your source limit (maximum of 50 sources per notebook)
Tip: If you need more than 50 sources, consider combining related documents into a single file before uploading.
Audio Overviews
Audio Overviews are experimental, AI-generated discussions that summarize and explore themes across your sources in a podcast-style format.
Important considerations:
Audio Overviews (including voices) are AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies or audio artifacts
They are not comprehensive or objective summaries—only reflections of your uploaded sources
The output language follows your Notebook settings
Generation may take several minutes; you can continue working while it processes
You must have edit access to generate or delete an Audio Overview
Feedback can be submitted using the thumbs up/down controls
NotebookLM allows you to save and organize outputs as notes, which can later be reused or converted into sources.
You can:
Add notes using rich text (links, formatting, bullet points)
Delete individual notes or clear all notes at once
Convert notes into sources for further analysis
Built-in structured outputs include:
Study guides
FAQs
Timelines
Briefing documents
Responsible Use and Accountability
NotebookLM functions as a research assistant, not an authority. Users must critically evaluate all outputs and verify conclusions against original sources. Institutional and legal responsibility for AI-assisted work rests with the user, not the AI system. NotebookLM does not independently take actions, but users should be mindful that summaries, analyses, or generated materials may still reflect bias, gaps, or errors present in the source materials.
You can ask for:
Abstracts and summaries
Comparative analysis
Audio overviews
Mind maps
Notes and outlines
Additional features:
Sample prompts and suggested questions appear in the chat bar
You can refresh the chat to clear conversation history
Inline citations allow you to verify answers directly against your sources
Finding Conclusions in Dense Materials
Use NotebookLM to locate precise information across complex documents, such as:
Technical manuals
Tax records and financial reports
Policy documents
Interview preparation using resumes and HR guidelines
AI-Powered Knowledge Base
Ideal for project and institutional knowledge management. Upload:
Meeting notes
Project plans
Historical documentation
Then generate:
Executive briefings
Timelines
FAQs
Lessons learned and summaries
Expert Insights Synthesis
Combine expert-level materials to identify trends and insights, such as:
Analyzing earnings calls and analyst reports
Comparing strategies across organizations
Synthesizing research literature on complex topics
NotebookLM may be used at Siena University only in ways that align with the University’s Artificial Intelligence Policy. Siena supports the responsible and ethical use of generative and agentic AI systems, including emerging and future AI-enabled technologies, to enhance learning, teaching, research, and administrative operations. All use of NotebookLM must comply with applicable federal, state, local, and international laws, as well as University policies including (but not limited to) the Acceptable Use Policy and Data Classification Policy.
