In recent years, digitization projects have emerged rapidly in Europe and North America, making millions of books, newspaper articles, and journals accessible through online databases. In the Middle East and North Africa, however, this access to digital information is still limited, and digital images of books and journals in the Arabic language are sparse. This lack of access to information presents far-reaching implications for Middle Eastern society. This paper intends to show how a digitization movement could increase the equality of access to resources as well as outlining the legal and political challenges that must be overcome in order to implement such an online database. In many MENA countries, the contrast between urban and rural life is reflected in access to extensive collections of printed materials. Digitization would extend access to educational resources to every person, regardless of location, age, or socioeconomic background. It would help to close the gap between rural and urban, while giving people a stake in their cultural heritage. Digitizing Arabic books and articles will actively preserve the rich intellectual and cultural history of the Arab nations. The role of digitization projects to preserve cultural heritage is demonstrated in Europe through the Europeana project, aimed at preserving European heritage in all its diversity. Before such a project could move forward, issues of copyright law and effective protection of intellectual property would need to be thoroughly examined, politically and legally. These laws and regulations are crucial to the development of a thriving information society. A related challenge is the manner in which such a resource might be regulated, whether through public or private libraries or through non-profit organizations. Using Jordan as our primary case study, we will show how this kind of digital resource could fill a need in Middle Eastern society. We will draw on the data collected from interviews with Jordanian librarians, politicians, and local leaders in addition to general data on the number of libraries and the distribution of access to materials throughout the country. Access to educational and cultural materials promotes literacy, encourages civic engagement, and creates entrepreneurial advantages for everyone in a society. Building an online library or database of journals, newspapers, and books will enhance the lives of everyone in the community in addition to increasing possibilities for intercultural exchange of information, building bridges within and between cultures through equal access to information and ideas.