Here is a short list of some directory resources that I have come up with:

Places to announce your directory (Free & Paid):

1. Digital Point Forums - Free to announce your directories. Be sure to read the Guidelines first before posting.
2. v7n Forums - Have a free directory? Announce here. Have a paid directory? Announce here by first becoming a v7n Sponsor.
3. Sitepoint - Announce your directory here for $10. One of the largest webmaster driven communities.
4. Info.vilesilencer.com - Directory Forums for announce & possible inclusion into Dan’s SEO Friendly Directory List.
5. iWebTool - announce your directory here for Free.
6. Directory Owners - a forum dedicated to directory owners & webmasters. (free)
7. WebTalkForums.net - a webmaster community with free advertising.
8. PHPLinkDirectory - free announcement of directories that use the PHPLD script.

Other Directory Resources:

• phpLD Templates - a site dedicated to displaying and producing free templates.
• phpLD Templates - paid and free templates available for all versions of PHPLD versions 2.0-3.06
• Web Designers Directory templates - free templates for PHPLD version 2.0.
• OS Designer - Offering the templates called “Stoneflash” and “Greyline” for both versions of PHPLD.
• phpLD Your Site - site offers templates, help, and directory information.
• RealWD - Offering the Real Blue template & Outstanding template designs.
• Mountain Templates - offering paid templates for PHP Link Directory
• phpLD Info - templates for v2 and v3
• Aviva Directory Blog - Offering free templates for v2 and v2.1
• Directory Spy - a blog with all sorts of helpful hints and articles.
• Monster Submit phpLD Vault - leading producer of mods
• Directory Blogger - a blog dedicated to announcements and news
• Directory Release - a way of announcing your directory through blogging.

Directory Lists

• Strongest Links - a directory list featuring over 250 top directories
• Strongest Directories - a list using the seomoz page strength tool
• SEO Friendly Directory List - the largest seo friendly free directory list. Also includes Paid & Niche directory lists in excel format.
• Directory Critic - a very large free, paid, and niche directory list with many features such as ratings, link details, etc.
• AddURL - a large free seo friendly directory list in partnership with info.vilesilencer.com.
• PaidDirectories - a list containing top paid directories
• PaidDirectoryList - a list of paid directories sorted by pagerank of 4 or higher.
• Koopy.org - a directory list in the form of a phpld.
• CriticDirectory - a list of directories sorted by directory script

I know I missed some resources so stay tuned for part II.