Customers?

[TicoInBrazil]

I work at a public library, before closing the library they usually make announcements on the microphone, in the local finnish language, swedish and finally english, however this is how they speak in english "dear customers we're closing the library in 15 minutes", and that got me wondering, why customers if nobody is buying anything, and what would be the proper way to speak? "ladies and gentlemen, we're closing... etc?

[Chicken Sandwich]

NOT A TEACHER

According to this article, there 'has been a lot of discussion about what term people who work in libraries should use for the people who use their services.'

I would not object to "customer," but as that article points out, "customer" implies an exchange of money, so perhaps it's not appropriate. Saying "Ladies and gentlemen..." in the announcement is a good way around this problem.

[Barb_D]

I hear "patrons" to describe library users.

[bhaisahab]

I work at a public library, before closing the library they usually make announcements on the microphone, in the local Finnish language, Swedish and finally English, however this is how they speak in English "dear customers we're closing the library in 15 minutes", and that got me wondering, why customers if nobody is buying anything, and what would be the proper way to speak? "ladies and gentlemen, we're closing... etc?

Always capitalise the first letter of the names of languages, nationalities and countries.