The change in demographics has resulted in many challenges for Northingham. These include the accommodation of a large number of Portuguese speaking students into the school system and the provision of public services to a growing immigrant group. The recent Brazilian immigrants speak limited English and are very motivated to learn the language and to become aware of community and educational resources.

The problem at hand is to create an environment in the public library that would induce Brazilian immigrants to frequent it. The staff at the Northingham Free Public Library would like to set up programs to introduce the new Brazilian residents to the library resources and programs, but the staff is concerned about language issues and a lack of Portuguese materials.

Since our goal is to persuade the Brazilian community to utilize the library as an information source, we need to find a theory that deals with different options for immigrants who are and are not motivated to come to the library, as well as those who have the motivation but not the ability to read and understand the databases and materials at the library. How can we motivate them? What can we do to increase their ability to understand and profit from our print, electronic and audio/visual materials? Our long-term goal is to make a positive enduring change in the lives of the Brazilian community.