Sometimes the best programs are those that take minimal staff effort! 

Here are some passive program ideas, please add more :-)

The idea behind passive programs:

As staff time is limited, it's important to find ways to serve teen patrons without 100% staff involvement.  Honestly, the teens might even prefer this!  In my opinion there are two types of passive programs:  1.  those that take little staff supervision  2.  those that require supervision but little planning.

Low Staff Supervision Programs Ideas:

Drawing:  set up your teen section with how-to-draw books, other art books, and supplies.  Create a space for teens to put their drawings if they don't want to keep them (hang them on the wall/bulletin board, art book, etc).

Magnetic Poetry:  get small metal trays, cookie sheets even, and let teens get creative with magnetic poetry.  You can even make your own and print it on magnets if your printer can handle that type of medium

Origami:  same idea as a drawing program.  Set out origami paper and books in your teen section.  Display the creations teens don't keep.

Book Reviews:  set out YAAB Picks cards and let teens write reviews of their favorite books

Scavenger Hunt or Trivia:  similar to the Internet Winning idea Jewel came up with.  Create short trivia or library scavenger hunt sheets and award teens an extra hour of internet time, a mini-candy bar, or some other small free or almost free item when they turn in the completed sheets.

About Me Collage:  put out old magazine pages (already ripped from magazines so they are not confused with circulating magazines!), paper, markers, gluesticks.  Have teens make collages and hang them in your teen section (or let them keep them).

Programs with Little Planning:

Dungeons and Dragons:  believe it or not, role playing games are still popular!  The first meeting might take more effort and planning than the others, because you will have to find a dungeon master (person who runs the game).  After the first event, it will run itself.  Wizards of the Coast have a plethora of free materials for library use, and we own many of the books teens might need.  Check out these resources.

Drop-in Gaming:  borrow the equipment from Jen.  Set it up or have the teens set it up and tear it down for you.  Staff should monitor use, but won't have to plan anything for this program to be successful.

Teen-Only Internet Time:  borrow laptops from IT, set them up lounge-style, and let the teens use the wireless internet.