I shipped a book via Media Mail last week, and the postal worker made me fill out paperwork in order to ship Media Mail. He said this is a new regulation. I needed to sign and date the paperwork and write down my return address even though I choose to use the PBS return address on my labels. I was upset by this as it seems to defeat the purpose of using the PBS address.

Has anyone else had to do this?

Did you ask to see this regulation in writing?\

they could be making up their own rules

what paper work did you fill out?  what did you have to write?

Sounds like a local regulation, none of the local branches here enforce such a regulation. Perhaps, you were delivering to a FPO/APO (which they will ask you to do for those types of shipments)? Here is a link regarding the Media Mail: 

http://www.usps.com/send/waystosendmail/senditwithintheus/mediamail.htm

btw, JuJuGirl... Go Bears!

I work at the USPS and no one has told anyone at our office to fill out any paperwork such as you mention.

I would guess that they are making you fill out their paperwork. If they inspect a Media Mail package there is a form that needs to be filled out by the person inspecting it and inserted in the package, I've heard of a few places that are making the customer fill that out and stick it in the package.

I had to sign a form like that ONCE at my PO (also in Wisconsin).  I was told it was needed every time I sent media mail.  I've sent multiple media mail packages since then and have never seen the form again.  Wisconsin has some serious issues with media mail.

Aha! Rich has hit the problem, you are in Wisconsin. They are going way way beyond normal with media mail and its inspections. Much of what they are doing in Wisconsin is not USPS regulation at all and the rest of us don't have to deal with it.

I would recommend using stamps/APC/PBS postage and avoid counter clerks if at all possible. They cannot try to enforce their made up rules on mail that doesn't come across the counter.

Also noticed the Wisconson connection...seems the regional postmaster there has a serious hard-on for micro managing Media Mail.  Maybe even to the point of inventing regulations.  Media mail is always subject to inspection, but make USPS fill out their own paperwork...I'd also check with the receiver and see if the official notification insert was included after the inspection.

I had to sign a form like that ONCE at my PO (also in Wisconsin).

Ditto.  I had to fill one out and they put it on file.  It asks what you want them to do if they open a package and deem that it is NOT media mail.  I put down for it to be returned to me.  And if I see a new clerk at my PO they will ask if I have the media mail form on file before taking my packages.  I've recently discovered that almost all of my books are cheaper 1st class so I'm only using Media on heavy PB books and HC now.

i just created a new topic on media mail, i also am from wisconsin and i dind't have to fill out paperwork but this was my situation.

I mailed a book today and put it in a bubble mailer and mailed it media mail.  The postman asked if there was any letters inside and i was confused and said no, there is a 3x5 card with my name and a reference number but no letter. He then told me that was considered a letter and had to charge me $0.44 to mail it along with the package and i thought he was kidding i've never heard of that before.  i explained it isn't a letter it is part of the package. then he said well if it gets inspected you will be charged priority mail and will be billed for it. so i was charged media mail plus $0.44 for mailing a letter.

The Media Mail rules state you may enclose an invoice - which should cover your card.

And even at that, you probably could have switched your book to first class mail  and it wouldn't have been $2.38 + $0.44 unless it was a hardcover book.  Lately I've been shipping my books 1st class and they've been going out at $1.90, $2.07 or $2.24.  Many PB's can go cheaper via 1st class than media.

I also ship a lot of my books first class.  It's worth the extra 10 cents so that I don't have to worry about the package being opened or delayed because Wisconsin has a vendetta against Media Mail.

I would recommend using stamps/APC/PBS postage and avoid counter clerks if at all possible. They cannot try to enforce their made up rules on mail that doesn't come across the counter.

I print my postage (including DC) from my Paypal Account (https://www.paypal.com/shipnow).  If the book weighs less than 8 ounces, it's cheaper to mail it first class than media mail.  Anyway, first class or media mail, I package the book (making sure to wrap in plastic first to protect from moisture), tape on the printed postage and drop the book into a PO drop box.  I have never had a problem with my post office when I do this. 

Kate the problem is the state of WI.  Even if the OP uses the blue boxes, her media mail is under tighter scrutiny than anybody else's.  Our postal system in WI has gotten really strict with media mail.  If I take in 10 books to my post office OR if I mail 10 books from the blue box, they are going to open and inspect every Xth book.  That is the new requirements according to our district and it appears to be statewide for WI.  Because of this, they are requiring each person mailing a media mail package to sign a form (one time and it's kept on file) stating that they understand Media Mail regulations and IF the package is inspected and IF it does not meet the requirements - what we want them to do with it - ie return to sender, forward with postage due, etc.  Of course they aren't catching everyone to get them to fill out this form but they are still inspecting about 2 out of every 10 books no matter how they come into the post office (by counter, blue box, or from the residence).

edited to clarify something....:O)

what if you sent the books first class which some times is only about 3 to 10 cents more

i wonder if  WI post clerks will inspect those too?

Since First Class mail is not restricted for content, no books mailed First Class are not subject to inspection...unless there's reason to suspect the package contains items illegal in the US mail (fireworks, etc).

Normal USPS workers are not allowed to open First Class mail unless it has "suspicious" characteristics. IE  looks like a bomb.

Even then THEY wouldn't be opeing it.  The police or the Postal Inspectors would.