Try this: Start Firefox in the Safe Mode prompt. See Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode. Then select the option to rest your toolbars and controls, and restart Firefox with those changes.

See also http://kb.mozillazine.org/Bookmarks_history_and_toolbar_buttons_not_working_-_Firefox

None of the above suggestions seem to give me a clear solution to re-installing my bookmarks. I have a red band at the top of the window that send me to a link that says I can save the bookmarks for another browser in html but nothing shows up in the library to save. What gives? Am I the only person having this problem?

Okay, I think you're talking about Fix "The bookmarks and history system will not be functional" error message message. If message comes up when another program has locked the places.sqlite file in your profile. Did you try the instructions in the Fix "The bookmarks and history system will not be functional" error message article?