I sent a book out 2 weeks ago and today I rec'd it back with a note inside:

Need receipt - books, calendars, newspapers must come from the Publisher or Vendor.  It was refused in LANSING, KS 66043.  

It is stamped media mail - what is that about?

That PO is mistaken if it was just a regular book with no other items inside. Media mail is pretty much the whole basis of why PBS has been able to work for so many people. Take the package back to your local PO and show them. They should be able to re-send it for you. If not they need to have a good explanation. Then PM to the person who ordered the book to let them know about the delay.

Need receipt - books, calendars, newspapers must come from the Publisher or Vendor

these restrictions are usual for items going to a prison. It could be the prison returned your book rather than the po. Do a google search of the address to see if it may be a prison.

I looked at your Lansing KS address and there is a prison there.

Definitely what Charles said.  Many Correctional Institutions - Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, etc. have that restriction.

You'll need to notify the requestor that the book was returned and quote the reason you were given.

IMO, you should not have to return the credit since you're out the money you spent for postage.  But, I'm not sure how TPTB at PBS would want you to handle this.

As an update - Charles was correct.  The sender did not know the rules and marked the books as received.  All is good.  i am not sure how you pick this up before hand since I do send books to alterniative aaddresses.  

Thank you all for you insight.  

Sometimes you can't tell.  Most correctional facilities require an inmate number, usually seen with a hyphen then a series of numbers next to their name.  Some of the facilities will have FCI (stands for Federal Correctional Institute) as part of the address.  A lot will depend on what/how much info the requestor has given with the name and address.

I'm glad that the sender gave you the credits.

everything sent to a prison is not always returned. Sometimes the delivery works fine. Many prisons have their own standards. There are also varying levels of security that create different types of mail handling.