you can buy cases for them and for memory cards I have a few of them, they are very nice with a zipper closure and hold multiple of them. I got mine at walmart actually. but just google flash drive case for ideas and options.
Case Logic USB Flash Drive Case, Black
This is the one I have.

here is a single case option
USB Drive Shuttle Carrying Case

Case Logic USB Flash Drive Case, Magenta

Thanks Raven; they great, but small. Maybe I could/should velcro it to the shelf? That might work? It has to be accesible by anyone and any time, and I would hate for anyone to have to dig for it. Hm

Can you connect the case to an oversized key ring that can be hung on a hook?

A hook. I like that idea. That could also work. I appreciate the ideas. A hook could work even with the case.

You might want to find a bright red or orange case, something that stands out. And it might also be a good idea to have an extra thumb drive or two.

How about a lanyard to hang it from the band directors neck so it won't be lost and be at his/her fingertips when needed. And backups never hurt as suggested above.

well it would be easy just to either screw in a hook in the shelf or hammer a nail in and use one of the cases I linked to because they have a clip that can hook onto things like that. The bigger ones look like a book that zips open so it could sit on the shelf just like a book would, they also have a strap from the sipper that can hang from a nail or hook. Possibly even one of the command hooks stuck to the shelf unit to hang a case from. The cases provide a lot of protection.
I would not trust velcro.
I am not sure what you meant when you said they are small, the cases come in various sizes the one I have that holds 4 or 6 drives is not very small it is the size of a small book and it zips open would work well on a shelf.

inside of case

I hope this isn't too obvious, but there should be multiple and identical copies of this all-important thumb drive, each under the charge of a separate student.

I like the case ravencajun posted, but putting all copies in one case (which many would, LOL) defeats the purpose of spreading the load among many students.

Actually, I think this is a teaching moment - the band kids should come up with their own ideas for keeping this vital, but tiny, thing safe. They are in high school, aren't they? Make them work it out!

Thank you everyone! I feel like I have a plan now and will suggest it at tonight's meeting.

I honestly don't know if there are more than one copy? But I'd bet there already is. I really don't think the band directors want anyone to keep up with it. It's the crew who load and unload everything worrying we'll hit it, knock it loose, bend it, something! We do teach them to be responsible for everything. Matter of fact, once it's off the truck and ready to hit the field, we only move what is "extra", with them telling us where it goes. It's their show, and we're there to help. But I totally agree. I don't even baby my own baby. Had to put up his toys since he was 2. Take care of his own dishes or clothes since he was able to carry them. He's ridden the city bus by himself since he was 9... I could go on. It's as big an issue with me as it sounds like it is to you :) Kids get too much help these days, never allowed to fail or learn or what disappointment is. That is one area my boy is strong. And I am glad. Now if someone could teach him to write down assignments, I'd be thrilled! I've been trying since kindergarten. Oh well, can't be good at everything.

Sew an old sock (one that's an orphan from a pair ... or the other got too holey - but no holes in this one, mind!) and sew it to a lanyard.

Drop the thumb drive into the sock.

Hang the lanyard round your neck.

Duplicate as needed.

o j

It has to be accessed by anyone at any time. So it cannot be on any person. They do not have time to search you out and find you. It has to be a central place. Thanks though!

Didn't get to present it last night because no one showed up! Except me. Oh well.

Now that's an interesting image, OJ!

The "Thumb drive" is likely more properly termed a "USB dongle" in that it likely contains a wireless receiver and circuitry to provide an output signal over the USB connection. The point being that
it is likely an expensive little device that once its broken its difficult and costly to replace.

In any case though is seems to me that the real problem is that if it is left attached and sticking out of the USB port, it would be bumped and bent and broken as the speaker is moved from place to place, but it needs to be attached for the speaker to actually be usable.

A better solution than any of the above would seem to be to devise a way to allow the USB dongle to remain attached always, but that would greatly lessen the likelihood of damage.

You could buy a short male-female USB extension cable with one angled end, such as the following:

http://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-aar04t-16.html#RR-AAR04T-04G