Novel ZnO:Li thermoluminescent phosphors were synthesized by a chemical method. Pellet-shaped samples were exposed to beta radiation to investigate their dosimetric capabilities. Some samples were exposed to beta particle irradiation for doses from 50 up to 1600 Gy, and it was found that the thermoluminescence response is a linear function in all over the dose range studied. The glow curve exhibits two maxima, centered at 385 and 507 K. The maximum located at 507 K shifts to lower temperatures as dose increases, indicating that second order kinetics thermoluminescence processes are involved. The results indicate that these new ZnO:Li phosphors are promising detectors and dosimeters for beta radiation.