This paper examines the role of public libraries in fostering socioeconomic development, with a focus on the Arab world. Drawing on historical examples and contemporary empirical literature, it outlines the multidimensional benefits libraries provide – including educational advancement, economic stimulation, social cohesion, and public health support. While robust micro-level evidence exists globally, Arab countries have largely been excluded due to data limitations. This study combines country-level data on public library provision with a range of socioeconomic indicators, revealing that the Arab world significantly underperforms in both domains relative to non-Arab and OECD countries. Although causality cannot be established, the patterns suggest underinvestment in public libraries may be a contributing factor to regional development gaps. The paper calls for increased scholarly and policy attention to libraries as low-cost, high-impact institutions, and underscores the importance of understanding colonial legacies and structural constraints in shaping current outcomes.
