Google adds 100s of free textbooks to Gemini Notebook for students

New Delhi: Students in India can now access hundreds of free academic textbooks through Google's Gemini Notebook, making it easier to find study materials and use AI tools for exam preparation without manually uploading books.

Announced on October 29, the feature is being introduced in India and the United States. The collection includes educational resources from OpenStax, Open Textbook Library and S Chand Publishing.

Formerly known as NotebookLM, Gemini Notebook allows users to ask questions based on selected sources. With the new textbook collection, students can add academic books directly to their notebooks and receive answers grounded in their contents.

A key feature is the inclusion of inline citations and links to the original sources alongside AI-generated responses. This allows students to check the textbook references behind the answers rather than relying entirely on AI-generated information.

The platform can also turn textbook content into personalised study guides, practice quizzes and flashcards, helping students revise lessons and test their understanding.

Accessing the resources is simple. Users can open Gemini Notebook, select 'Add sources' and choose 'Textbooks' to browse the available collection and add books to their notebooks. Google is offering access without additional charges.

The expansion builds on Google's Expert Intelligence initiative, introduced on September 17. Previously, users could add eligible e-books purchased through Google Play Books to their notebooks. The latest addition brings hundreds of textbooks from academic providers directly into the platform.