The library was closed on 1 March by West Berkshire Council to make a saving of £22,780. West Berkshire Councillor Mike Rodger, Executive member responsible for libraries told the committee that since the closure, Wash Common now has the use of the mobile library for four hours a week, and a service delivering books to the housebound. West Berkshire Council are also undertaking a survey of library provision throughout the district with the hope of further extending the hours of the mobile library service.

Newbury Town Councillors felt it was inequitable for the town to financially support the re-provision of the container library in Wash Common, as no other part of the town had a similar facility on its doorstep, and all other residents of the town were expected to use the central facility or the mobile library service.

The Town Councillors resolved to write to West Berkshire Council expressing their regret that the container library had been closed, but asking if the provision could be replicated as far possible by the use of the mobile library, the home library service, and making best use of the school libraries in the area (for example for use by pupils in after-school homework clubs).