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Building every piece of learning content from scratch is rarely realistic for an L&D (Learning and Development) team, so many organisations license some or all of their content instead, from a provider that already maintains a library of it. This guide covers how to evaluate those providers, whatever format the content takes.
What a learning content library is
A learning content library is an off-the-shelf collection of learning content that an organisation licenses access to, as an alternative to commissioning bespoke content for every topic. It sits alongside, not instead of, an LMS (Learning Management System) or LXP (Learning Experience Platform), which is the system used to deliver, assign and track learning. Some providers offer both content and a delivery platform together; others provide content designed to be delivered through whichever platform an organisation already uses.
Who this guide is for
This guide is written for HR and L&D teams evaluating whether to license off-the-shelf learning content, and if so, which format and provider fits their organisation. It applies if you're building a learning offer from scratch, supplementing existing internal content or replacing a provider you've outgrown.
The main content formats
“Content library” covers several distinct product types, and providers often specialise in one or two of them:
- Video libraries: pre-produced video content, often organised into series or channels by topic.
- eLearning courses: structured, often interactive courses with built-in assessments, typically packaged to a technical standard such as SCORM or xAPI so they can report progress back to an LMS.
- Microlearning: short, single-concept content designed to be consumed in a few minutes, often used to reinforce learning more than to introduce it.
- Toolkits and templates: practical, downloadable resources such as frameworks, worksheets or guides, as opposed to taught content.
- Podcasts: audio content, often in interview or discussion format.
- Leadership resources: content aimed at managers and leaders, which may combine several of the formats above.
Comparing formats
These formats aren't mutually exclusive and many providers offer more than one, but they suit different learning needs:
Common learning content library formats
| Format | What it typically looks like | What it's generally best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Video libraries | Pre-produced video content, often organised into series or channels | Breadth of topics; ease of embedding short, watchable content into wider learning |
| eLearning courses | Structured, often interactive courses with assessments, typically SCORM or xAPI packaged | Depth on a specific topic; tracking completion and assessment results |
| Microlearning | Short, single-concept content designed to be consumed in a few minutes | Reinforcement, spaced repetition, and fitting learning into small gaps in the working day |
| Toolkits and templates | Practical, downloadable resources (frameworks, worksheets, guides), not taught content | Applying a concept directly to real work, as opposed to watching or reading about it |
| Podcasts | Audio content, often interview or discussion format | Passive consumption, e.g. during a commute, without requiring a screen |
| Leadership resources | A themed bundle aimed at managers and leaders, usually a mix of the formats above, not a format of its own | Leadership-specific development content without commissioning a bespoke leadership curriculum |
Format
Video libraries
What it typically looks like
Pre-produced video content, often organised into series or channels
What it's generally best suited to
Breadth of topics; ease of embedding short, watchable content into wider learning
Format
eLearning courses
What it typically looks like
Structured, often interactive courses with assessments, typically SCORM or xAPI packaged
What it's generally best suited to
Depth on a specific topic; tracking completion and assessment results
Format
Microlearning
What it typically looks like
Short, single-concept content designed to be consumed in a few minutes
What it's generally best suited to
Reinforcement, spaced repetition, and fitting learning into small gaps in the working day
Format
Toolkits and templates
What it typically looks like
Practical, downloadable resources (frameworks, worksheets, guides), not taught content
What it's generally best suited to
Applying a concept directly to real work, as opposed to watching or reading about it
Format
Podcasts
What it typically looks like
Audio content, often interview or discussion format
What it's generally best suited to
Passive consumption, e.g. during a commute, without requiring a screen
Format
Leadership resources
What it typically looks like
A themed bundle aimed at managers and leaders, usually a mix of the formats above, not a format of its own
What it's generally best suited to
Leadership-specific development content without commissioning a bespoke leadership curriculum
Licensing and access models
Content libraries are typically licensed under one of a few common models, and the best fit depends on how widely the content will be used:
- Per-seat licensing: priced per employee who has access, common where only part of the organisation needs the content.
- Organisation-wide licensing: a flat fee covering access for the whole organisation regardless of headcount, common where content is intended for everyone.
- Per-course or per-collection licensing: paying for selected courses or content collections instead of the full catalogue.
What to evaluate before buying
Evaluating a learning content library provider
What drives the cost
Pricing for learning content libraries varies enough by format, catalogue size and licensing model that a single representative figure would be misleading. The main variables worth comparing quotes against are:
- Licensing model: per-seat pricing scales with headcount, while organisation-wide licensing is a flat fee however many people use it.
- Catalogue breadth: full-catalogue access generally costs more than licensing a narrower selection of courses or collections.
- Format: highly produced video content and interactive courses generally take more resources to produce than toolkits, templates or podcasts, which can be reflected in price.
- Platform bundling: content bundled with an LMS or LXP is priced differently to content-only licences intended for an existing platform.
- Support and implementation: onboarding support, custom branding, and account management can be included or charged separately depending on the provider.
Common buying mistakes
- Licensing a full catalogue when only a narrow set of topics is relevant to the organisation.
- Not checking technical compatibility with an existing LMS or LXP before committing, and discovering integration issues afterwards.
- Assuming content will stay current without checking a provider's update or refresh practice.
- Overlooking accessibility requirements until after rollout, when compliance should be checked upfront.
- Not clarifying what happens to access and reporting data if the contract isn't renewed.
Questions to ask providers
Questions to ask a learning content library provider
FAQs
What is a learning content library?
An off-the-shelf collection of learning content, such as video, eLearning courses, microlearning, toolkits or podcasts, that an organisation licenses so it doesn't have to commission bespoke content for every topic.
Is a content library the same as an LMS (Learning Management System)?
No. An LMS or LXP (Learning Experience Platform) is the system used to deliver, assign and track learning. A content library is the content itself. Many organisations license content from one provider and deliver it through a separate LMS or LXP, though some providers offer both together.
What does SCORM or xAPI mean, and why does it matter?
SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) and xAPI (Experience API) are technical standards that let eLearning content report completion and results back to an LMS. If you have an existing LMS, check early on that a library's content is packaged in a format your system supports. It affects what you can track, so treat it as a buying question as well as a technical one.
How is content library pricing usually structured?
Common models include per-seat licensing (priced per employee with access), organisation-wide licensing (a flat fee regardless of headcount), and per-course or per-collection licensing. Which model suits you best depends on how widely the content will be used across your organisation.
How often is content in these libraries updated?
This varies a great deal by provider and by content type, so ask each provider directly. Video and course libraries generally need more frequent refreshing to stay current than reference toolkits or templates.
Can we keep the content if we cancel our subscription?
Usually not automatically. Most content library licences are access-based (you lose access when the subscription ends), not one-off purchases, so check each provider's terms before assuming otherwise.
Making the decision
A learning content library usually supplements an organisation's wider L&D provision; it seldom replaces it. Matching the format and licensing model to how the content will be used, and checking technical and accessibility requirements before committing, tends to matter more to long-term value than catalogue size alone.
If you're ready to compare providers, you can compare content libraries for corporate training on CompareHQ.