USB flash drives are also known as "pen drives", "chip sticks" (though very uncommonly), "thumb drives", "flash drives", "USB keys", and a variety of other names. They are also sometimes called jump drives.  The most popular sizes are 128 Mb, 512 Mb, 1 Gb and 2 Gb.

A flash drive consists of a small printed circuit board encased in a robust plastic[4] or metal casing[5], making the drive sturdy enough to be carried about in a pocket, as a keyfob, or on a lanyard. Only the USB connector protrudes from this protection, and is usually covered by a removable cap. Most flash drives feature the standard type-A USB connection allowing them to be connected directly to a port on a personal computer.
Image & Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_drives

           Credit: www.dansdata.com

Locate the USB ports on the front of the workstations and plug in your drive.

Credit: www.library.unisa.edu.au

Look in the lower right hand corner "notification area," of the screen display for a green arrow

The arrow icon shows that your flash drive is recognized.

Check "OK" and open a folder to view files on your flash drive!

Click File > Save As and then locate your Flash Drive, usually Drive E:

Once located you ready to save files to your flash drive

Alternatively minimize all other screens until you can see "My Computer."  Locate your drive.

Single left click the Removable Drive Green Arrow Icon.

Images: Webster Univ.Emerson Library Computing Guide http://library.webster.edu/pcguide/emerson/flashdrives.html

Then click the "balloon box" message.  The green arrow should disappear.  Your drive can now be removed

The Auraria Library performs regular maintenance on its public computers.  Occasionally some workstations develop problems.  If you are having problems with a workstation or with removing your flash drive, please ask the Reference Desk for assistance.  You may also try the following steps:

• If you receive a message saying that the device is active, wait 2-3 minutes
• Try the removal process again. If you receive the message again....
• Make sure the "removable drive folder" is closed
• Make sure your saved work is listed in the Removable Disk ( E:\ )
• Close the My Computer folder; try clicking on the JumpDrive icon again.

• If this process fails again, ask the Reference Desk for Assistance.
• Reference can "Shut down," the workstation to stop the drive from running.
• Do not attempt to "Reboot" or "Restart" the workstation. 
• Ask Reference to "Shut Down," a Windows workstation gracefully.
• On a "Powered Down," workstation the drive can then be safely removed.

• Remember: Save your work often.
• Save your work in more than one place.
• Always have a backup copy of your work available.
• E-mail additional copies of your citations or documents when possible.
• Flash drives can fail, having been previously removed improperly.