The new Directory doesn’t come out until March, 2014, but the work begins this Friday at the September meeting of the Mercer Island Guild of Seattle Children’s Hospital. The MI Guild is one of the many guilds that donate funds to Seattle Children’s to support uncompensated care at the hospital.

New addresses or phone numbers and changes or deletions, including cellphones, should be sent to miphonebook@gmail.com, or reported to (206) 232-7870.

The Directory has been published by the MI Guild for over 70 years — since 1943. Donations have now exceeded $4 million. Revenue from ads and direct donations cover publication costs, which are kept low by using volunteers whenever possible.

Having this handy source of information about local businesses and residential listings is one of the things that makes Mercer Island unique.

Those new to the Island find it especially helpful. The fold-out map of the Island is a perennial favorite.

Longtime residents often use the Directory to keep up with changes. For instance, The Mercer has hotel suites in addition to apartments. It is a nearby location for those guests who you can’t accommodate in your home and a great find since the Travelodge was torn down.

Other new categories of ads in the business section include ‘Notaries Public,’ listing a service that will come to your business or home, and Islander FC, found under ‘Sports Training & Conditioning.’

Businesses that wish to sponsor the Directory by placing a new ad should contact miphonebook@gmail.com. Current advertisers will be contacted directly by members of the Guild.

The deadline for new and renewal ads is Oct. 4, 2013.