You can have both or neither.

At the side is the sidebar. You can close the bookmarks sidebar using the "x" button near the top. The keyboard shortcut to open/close it is Ctrl+b. (Note that some editors intercept Ctrl+b to turn bolding on and off, so it doesn't work in that situation.)

Below the main toolbar is the bookmarks toolbar. To turn different bars on and off, you can use one of these methods to show the toolbar list and select the desired bars there:

• right-click a blank spot on the tab bar (or the "+" button)
• tap the Alt key to activate the classic menu bar > View > Toolbars
• in Customize mode > Show/Hide Toolbars (see: Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars)

To turn on the Bookmarks Toolbar, Menu Bar, or other bars, click it on the list.

Success?

I should mention that some extensions may be able to change the location of the bookmarks toolbar, but your browser didn't share your extensions list. If the regular steps don't help:

You can view, disable, and often configure or remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

• Command+Shift+a (Windows: Ctrl+Shift+a)
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
• type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions that Firefox installs on its own are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything that could affect the bookmarks toolbar? If in doubt, disable.

Often a link will appear above at least one disabled extension to restart Firefox before the change takes effect. You can complete your work on the tab and click one of the links as the last step.

Any improvement?

your solution was very helpful and immediately solved a problem that I have been agonizing over for about a week. Thanks much. I'd wish i could keep you on my call list for when i have problems in the future.

Good to hear! But as for a call list, it's much easier using this site than trying to explain things over the phone. :-)

didn't mean call as in actual telephone. meant e-mail or such; but thanks anyway.