Abstract: Interactive electronic book operating systems and methods for displaying and allowing customization of content of scientific, engineering and other technical and professional digital books. The systems and methods allow for a single screen for displaying digital books covering scientific and technical topics having a classical look and feel on operating platforms(such as portable laptops, desktops, and small handheld displays) that are capable of running the Java Virtual Machine. The display screen can include icon toolbars about the screen and/or directly on the screen to manipulate the pages and content of the digital book.