Reinstalling OS, need iTunes help

I'm planning on reinstalling my origianl OS soon and was wondering if it's possible to save my playlists and artwork so that I can transfer it back once the install is complete? I spent a HUGE amount of time getting the artwork onto iTunes and would hate to have to go through it again.
Since we're on the subject, is there an easier way to get the album covers on there besides downloading the pictures off the internet and copying/pasting them?
Thanks!

Next is true for iTunes 5(0.1).
Your playlists, play counts and ratings are stored in your Library file in ~/Users/yourusername/Music/iTunes.
Make a backup copy of that file and store it at a safe place.
Your artwork resides in your music files.
Also backup your preferences. They are in ~/Users/yourusername/Library/Preferences.
Backup the files named:
com.apple.iTunes.eq.plist
com.apple.iTunes.plist
com.apple.iTunesHelper.plist
CD Info.cidb
After you re-installed your OS, you should install the same iTunes version you use now.
I don't know how older iTunes versions handle newer library files; things could go wrong.
Put your music in the exact location as you have now.
Copy the files you have saved (library file and preference files) to the same location as you have now. Replace newer versions if a window comes up and warns you about that
Run iTunes and all should be there.
Note: I have never done this, so it's my experience which tells me it should work this way. No warranty. If I am wrong I hope others will correct me.
For getting album covers there are several ways. For example this Applescript http://www.dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/ss.php?sp=findalbumartwork
I myself like the freeware application Clutter (http://www.sprote.com/clutter/). One of it's features is to search for artwork at the Internet and when it has found it, you can transfer it to all tracks of an album at once.
M

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