Last month I mailed (plain old media mail) a package with two books to a requestor only a few hundred miles away.  She PM'ed me to let me know that she received an empty package with a big rip in it (I had wrapped the books in heavy paper and packing tape).  I went to the post office right away to try to figure out what happened to them, but they told me that I had to wait thirty days for filling out a "lost package" form.  I explained to them that it wasn't the package that was lost, just the contents of the package, so waiting thirty days was probably counterproductive, i.e., there was no way those books were going to make it to her since the address part was no longer with the books.  They understood what I was saying but said I still had to wait the thirty days.  GAH!

So I just turned in the form...  I sure hope those books turn up!  Does anyone know if there is a reason for this rule that makes sense?

Don't know....it doesn't make any sense...   To me it just gives them an additional 20+ days to lose the item(s) even more.  Most people would want to know right away when something goes missing.  I will say though, that I have NEVER had a book 'found' be they USPS once this happens. 

However, to get an answer to your quesiton, you might post this over in the USPS forum...there are actual USPS employees who have helped us understand MANY of the USPS rules.

You can also go to USPS.com and find the form there and fill it out.  Also, have the other member ask her post office for the form - maybe they'll give it to her and she can get the ball rolling.

I filled out at least three of those forms over the past year. Not suprisingly, all the package contents of books were "lost" at the same facility. Months later i receive my form back stating nothing was found. Waste of time. I suspect someone is just helping themselves to free books.