Durham County Government is gearing up for the holiday season by announcing its office closures. Most county offices will be effectively shut down from December 24, next Tuesday, through December 26, 2024, next Thursday, for the winter holidays. Regular office hours will resume next Friday, December 27, according to an official notice on the county's website. A second closure is planned to celebrate the incoming New Year on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, with services to resume normally on January 2.
With the holidays known to often disrupt regular service schedules, Durham County residents are advised to quickly take note of these changes. For those looking to manage their waste during the festive period, all three Solid Waste and Recycling Convenience Sites will also be closed next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, as well as on January 1. Nonetheless, Durham County reminds its residents holding a valid 2024-25 solid waste decal, that they can dispose of garbage and other recyclables on normal days. The curbside recycling service, which does not operate on Wednesdays, won't be directly impacted by the holiday breaks.
For those who need law enforcement over the holidays, the Durham County Sheriff's Office Patrol Division remains available 24/7. However, administrative and records divisions will follow the county's closure schedule. Public safety doesn't take a holiday, and residents are encouraged to dial 911 for emergencies during this time.
The local libraries are also getting into the holiday spirit, with all Durham County Library locations closing their doors from next Tuesday to Thursday, and will not open on New Year's Day. Instead, community members are encouraged to make full use of the library next Friday and after the holiday closures. Patrons looking to end their year engrossed in literature will need to visit before 6 p.m. on December 31, as the locations will close early to ring in the New Year.
Public health services will be on hold during the holiday schedule, but arrangements have been made to ensure essential services remain available. The Durham County Department of Social Services also won't be accessible during the official county holiday closures, yet they have provided emergency contact numbers to report child or adult abuse and neglect. And while the Durham County Cooperative Extension shares in the general holiday closure, they likewise will be ready to serve residents with their regular schedule resuming next Friday and again after January 1.
