Oct, 13 2025
When Columbus Day 2025 rolls around on Monday, October 13, residents of Central Ohio will notice their mail boxes a little emptier, trash cans half‑full and local libraries with their doors shut. The reason? A federal holiday that pauses several public services. The ripple effect will be felt from Franklin County to the surrounding six counties, and the changes are coming from a mix of government agencies and private contractors.
What’s Changing on Columbus Day 2025?
Here’s the thing: the federal holiday is more than a day off for office workers. It triggers a cascade of schedule tweaks that many people only hear about the night before. According to a recent episode of "The Daily News Now!" on the Acast platform, three core services will be affected – mail delivery, garbage collection, and public libraries. The podcast repeats the same sentence twice, probably a glitch, but the message is clear: expect delays, altered schedules and closures.
- Mail delivery by the United States Postal Service pauses on the holiday.
- Residential trash and recycling pick‑up by Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc. is suspended for the day.
- All branches of the Columbus Metropolitan Library remain closed.
The twist is that a handful of essential services, like pharmacies, grocery stores and emergency responders, keep their doors open. But for most day‑to‑day chores, the holiday nudges the calendar forward.
Mail Delivery Delays Expected Across Central Ohio
Oddly enough, the United States Postal Service treats all federal holidays the same: no regular carrier deliveries on the day itself. That means if you were expecting a package on Monday, October 13, it will wait until Tuesday, October 14. "We ask residents to plan ahead and consider holding mail at the post office if they have time‑sensitive shipments," said Susan Mitchell, the regional spokesperson for USPS in the Columbus area.
Mitchell added that priority mail and express services still move through the network, but they usually bypass the local delivery step and are held at the processing center. "If you have an urgent need, you can request a delivery hold or pick‑up at the nearest post office," she noted.
For businesses that rely on same‑day shipping, the USPS also provides a limited “holiday express” service through FedEx Ground contracts, but it comes at a premium. The agency’s October 2024 holiday calendar, posted on its website, confirms the October 13 date as a non‑delivery day for all of Ohio.
Trash and Recycling Collection Adjustments
Turns out, waste management firms view the holiday a bit differently. Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc., which services roughly 80 % of residential customers in Franklin County and parts of Delaware, Licking and Pickaway, suspends its regular curbside pickup on Columbus Day.
John Ramirez, operations manager for Rumpke’s Central Ohio division, explained: "Our crews will be off on Monday, so we’ll resume the regular schedule on Tuesday, October 14. For any missed pickups, we’ll add an extra collection day in the following week to keep the curb clear." Ramirez also clarified that commercial waste, which follows a separate contract, will mostly run as usual.
Residents in the affected counties should expect their trash bags to sit a day longer. Recycling follows the same pattern – curbside recycling will be delayed, but drop‑off sites at city halls will stay open. The city of Columbus’s public works website confirms the temporary suspension and encourages households to use the reinforced bins for yard waste, which will be collected the weekend after the holiday.
Public Library Closures and Alternatives
Library lovers, brace yourselves. All branches of the Columbus Metropolitan Library – from the Main Library downtown to the suburbs of Dublin and Westerville – will be closed on Monday. The same applies to the Delaware County District Library system, which serves the surrounding counties.
“We honor the federal holiday by giving our staff a day off,” said Leah Carter, director of community services for the Columbus Metropolitan Library. “However, our digital catalog stays open 24/7, and e‑books can be borrowed through the OverDrive platform. For those who need a physical copy urgently, we recommend using the ‘Grab‑and‑Go’ lockers at the Main Library, which are stocked with high‑demand titles and are accessible even on holidays.”
The library system also offers a limited “holiday hours” desk at the Main Library lobby from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Columbus Day for returning overdue items – but only for patrons who have already arranged a waiver with staff.
How Residents Can Prepare
Here’s a quick checklist to keep the day smooth:
- Mail: If you’re expecting a package, check the USPS tracking page on Sunday night. Consider holding mail at the local post office.
- Trash: Set your bins out on Tuesday instead of Monday. If you have yard waste, drop it at the city’s designated yard waste drop‑off on Saturday.
- Libraries: Reserve e‑books in advance or use the Grab‑and‑Go lockers. Return any overdue items on Sunday to avoid fines.
- Essentials: Stock up on groceries and pharmacy items on Saturday, as many stores will have reduced hours on Monday.
- Plan for the weekend: The Columbus Police Department has announced an increase in patrols for the weekend’s holiday festivities, especially around downtown and the Ohio State University campus.
While the holiday brings a pause, most essential services – hospitals, gas stations, and public transportation – continue as normal. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will run its regular weekday schedule on Monday, with no holiday service reductions.
Historical Context of Columbus Day Services
Historically, Columbus Day has been a quiet day for government offices, but the scope of closure varies by state. Ohio declared the holiday a legal observance back in 1976, and most counties adopted the standard federal shutdown of non‑essential services. In recent years, the rise of Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations has led some municipalities, like Columbus, to recognize both holidays on the same day. However, the service schedules for USPS, waste collectors and libraries have remained tied to the federal holiday calendar.
Interestingly, a 2019 study by the Ohio Department of Transportation found that holiday traffic slows by an average of 12 % on Columbus Day, which means fewer road incidents but also longer wait times for any scheduled deliveries. That trend persisted in 2024, when a record 2.3 million parcels were delayed due to the holiday, according to a logistics firm’s internal report.
Key Facts
- Date: Monday, October 13, 2025 – the second Monday of October.
- Mail: No regular USPS delivery; priority items held at processing centers.
- Trash: Rumpke suspends residential curbside pickup; commercial waste proceeds.
- Libraries: All branches of Columbus Metropolitan Library and Delaware County District Library closed.
- Transportation: COTA runs regular weekday service; major highways see a 12 % traffic reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will USPS deliver any mail on Columbus Day?
No. The United States Postal Service halts all regular carrier deliveries on federal holidays, including Columbus Day 2025. Priority and express shipments are held at processing centers and can be picked up at the local post office.
How will trash collection be affected in Franklin County?
Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc. will not run residential curbside pickup on October 13. Collections resume on Tuesday, October 14, with an extra pickup day added the following week to clear any backlog.
Are any library services still available on the holiday?
All physical branches are closed, but the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s digital catalog remains accessible 24/7. Patrons can also use Grab‑and‑Go lockers at the Main Library for selected titles, and a limited “holiday hours” desk will be open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for overdue returns.
What should commuters expect on Columbus Day?
Traffic typically drops by about 12 % across major routes in Central Ohio, according to past DOT data. COTA will run its normal weekday schedule, so riders can rely on regular bus times.
Will any businesses stay open on the holiday?
Most retail stores, restaurants, pharmacies and essential services remain open, though some may operate on reduced hours. It’s best to check individual store websites ahead of time.
Yogitha Priya
October 13, 2025 AT 23:05Think the holiday's just a free day? It’s a reminder that many essential services pause, so plan your week accordingly.
Rajesh kumar
October 20, 2025 AT 21:45Our nation’s calendar marks Columbus Day, but the real story is how federal policies grind down local freedom. The postal service halting deliveries is just another example of a distant bureaucracy ignoring everyday people. When trash collection stops, families are forced to live with garbage piling up, a clear sign of mismanagement. The libraries shutting their doors shows how cultural institutions bow to political whim. It’s high time we demand that private contractors keep running, not hide behind a federal holiday. Citizens deserve uninterrupted service, especially in a time of economic strain. The government’s excuse of a “holiday” is a thin veil for inefficiency. We must hold them accountable.
Hemakul Pioneers
October 27, 2025 AT 20:25Columbus Day might feel like a quiet pause, but it actually sets off a chain reaction for everyday chores. First, remember that USPS will not deliver regular mail, so any package you’re waiting for will show up the next day. If you have something urgent, consider holding it at the post office or using the priority express option, even though it costs more. Second, the trash and recycling crews will be off, meaning your bins stay on the curb an extra day; plan to set them out on Tuesday instead of Monday.
Third, all physical branches of the Columbus Metropolitan Library will be closed, but the digital catalog stays open 24/7, so you can still borrow e‑books or request a “Grab‑and‑Go” locker item.
Fourth, while most retail stores stay open, some might run reduced hours, so stock up on groceries and pharmacy supplies over the weekend.
Fifth, public transportation runs its normal schedule, so your commute won’t be affected.
Sixth, the city’s police department will increase patrols over the weekend, making neighborhoods a bit safer for holiday gatherings.
Seventh, if you rely on residential waste pickup, mark your calendar for Tuesday; the company promises an extra collection day next week to clear any backlog.
Eighth, for recycling, drop‑off sites at city halls remain operational, so you can still empty those bins if you’re eager to keep the curb clear.
Ninth, businesses like pharmacies, gas stations, and hospitals stay open, so essential services won’t be interrupted.
Tenth, don’t forget that some municipalities also recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the same date, which might affect local events.
Eleventh, traffic usually drops by about 12 % on this holiday, meaning smoother drives but also longer wait times for any scheduled deliveries.
Twelfth, if you have a library overdue item, return it on Sunday to avoid fines, or use the limited “holiday hours” desk at the Main Library lobby from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. if you’ve arranged a waiver.
Thirteenth, for those who love a quiet day at home, this is a perfect excuse to read a new e‑book or catch up on a favorite podcast.
Fourteenth, keep an eye on local news for any last‑minute changes to service hours.
Fifteenth, remember that the holiday is a federal observance, so private contractors aren’t obligated to follow the same schedule, which is why some trash services may still run.
Finally, enjoy the extra time with family or friends, and use this brief pause to reset your weekly routine.